NORA SPRINGS — Gary Leon Arickx, 75, passed away October 2, 2026, at his home surrounded by family and friends.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home in Charles City and will continue Friday from 9 to 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, October 9, at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City with Rev. Ray Atwood officiating. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Osage.
Gary was born February 10, 1951, in Osage to Joseph and Gayle Arickx and spent most of his life in Floyd.
As a young man, he joined the U.S. Navy and served for four years. He remained active in the veteran community throughout his life and was especially grateful for the medical care he received through the VA, including hospice care during his final days.
Gary met the love of his life, Carol, while she was working as a waitress at the SOP.
The two built a marriage that lasted 49 years, and Gary could often be found cheering on his children at sporting events.
He completed trade school in Calmar and became a mason, leaving a physical mark on the community through the many bricks he laid over the years.
Gary also celebrated 34 years of sobriety.
Recovery became an important part of his life, and he found meaning in sharing hope with others looking for a new direction. He believed deeply in second chances and was known for offering work at Gary’s Enterprises to people who needed an opportunity.
Friends and family also knew Gary as an enthusiastic cribbage player.
He was a regular at the annual cribbage tournament at Hammer Hardware and was known to arrive with a pot of homemade Navy bean soup to share.
Gary is survived by his wife, Carol Arickx; children Casie and Aaron, Josh and Erin, Jeremy and Ali, and Tyler and Liz; grandchildren Morgan, Aidan, Riley, Annabelle, Piper, Finn, Hudson, Kennedy and Reagan; great-grandchild Ace; and sisters Sharon and Bill and Kristie and Terry.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gayle and Joseph Arickx, and daughters Chasity and Christina.
His family summed up Gary’s life simply: if you knew him, you had a story — and those stories will continue bringing laughter, head shakes and memories for years to come.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VA Central Iowa Health Care System in Gary’s memory.
Additional information and condolences for the family are available through Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home.
NorthIowaToday.com publishes obituaries and remembrances for families and funeral homes free of charge.