Garry Gene Naberhaus peacefully passed into his eternal rest with his beloved Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, September 1, 2025, after a courageous, inspiring, and faith-building eight-year journey through the onset and resulting effects of bone marrow cancer.
Garry was born on March 14, 1957, to Eugene and Ruth Naberhaus. He grew up primarily on a farm near Scranton, Iowa, and graduated from the Scranton Community School in 1975. He studied animal science at Iowa State University. There, he met the love of his life, Julie, and, after receiving their college degrees, they married on June 2, 1979.
They made their first home in Marengo, Iowa, where Garry was employed by a large family farm operation and Julie served as the public librarian. In 1984, they moved to a home near Earlham, Iowa, and Garry farmed with Julie’s father and brother, Walter and John Heimberger. Several years later, Garry and Julie relocated to a farmhouse near Dexter, Iowa, which they lovingly transformed over the years into their beloved lifelong home. Garry built several additions to the house and planted every one of the many trees of diverse varieties on the surrounding acreage. He thoroughly enjoyed farming crops and raising cattle, but his special delight was in holding and cherishing God’s blessed gift of newborn life. Garry dearly loved little babies. And, as his family grew, so did the precious memories of simple yet joyous times together, including an annual camping trip to Table Rock Lake, Missouri, and many treasured holiday traditions.
He served as an elder for the Stuart First Congregational Church, as president of the Madison County Farm Bureau, as a founding board member and president of Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators (Homeschool Iowa), and as Penn Center township clerk.
Garry was known for his hardworking nature and willful determination, but also for his wry sense of humor and gracious generosity.
Garry was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Naberhaus; his sister, Gail Carlson; and his brother, Jim Naberhaus.
Garry is survived by his wife of 46 years, Julie, and children: Andy (Rachael) Naberhaus of Dexter, Iowa; Kelly Reed of Rochester, New York; Katy Courtney of Norwalk, Iowa; Ben (Kiersten) Naberhaus of Ames, Iowa; Jesse Naberhaus of Dexter, Iowa; Rose Naberhaus of Dexter, Iowa; Sarah Naberhaus of West Des Moines, Iowa; Joseph Naberhaus of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Emily Naberhaus of Dexter, Iowa. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren: Parker, Emmett, Hazel, and Jack Naberhaus; Xander, Soren, and Eris Reed; Win and Regina Courtney; Boaz and Grey Naberhaus and an eagerly anticipated granddaughter arriving in the coming weeks. Other immediate surviving family members include his mother, Ruth Naberhaus, of Scranton, Iowa, and his siblings: Bob Naberhaus of Scranton, Iowa; Neil Naberhaus of Scranton, Iowa; June Naberhaus of Monroe, Iowa; Tom (Sarvinder) Naberhaus of Ames, Iowa; Mark Naberhaus of Scranton, Iowa; Pat Naberhaus of West Des Moines, Iowa; Erik (Nadine) Naberhaus of Webster City, Iowa; and Craig Naberhaus of Ames, Iowa.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Monday, September 8, 2025, at the First Congregational Church in Stuart. Funeral services will take place at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the church.
Burial will follow the service at Penn Center Cemetery. A luncheon will be served afterward at the church, and all are welcome to attend and share in fellowship.
Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com
