MASON CITY — Gordon C. Kammrad, 97, formerly of Mason City, whose long working life, devotion to his family and involvement in the Lions Club reflected a lifetime of dedication and service, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the Sheffield Care Center.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 17, from 10 to 10:30 a.m. at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Avenue, in Mason City. Funeral services will follow at 10:30 a.m., with Pastor Jani Dahlin officiating. Gordon will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery in Sheffield. Memorial contributions may be directed to his family.
Born September 15, 1929, in Chapin, Iowa, Gordon was the son of Walter and Amelia (Sprung) Kammrad. He grew up in the Chapin community and graduated from Chapin High School, beginning a life characterized by steady employment, strong family ties and a willingness to work hard.
On October 23, 1949, Gordon married M. Arlene Merfeld at the Little Brown Church in Nashua.
Their marriage became a lasting partnership spanning 74 years, filled with the experiences of raising a family, building a life together and sharing the joys and challenges that come with the passing decades.
Gordon and Arlene remained together until her death in 2023.
Throughout his adult life, Gordon developed a reputation for dependability and a strong work ethic, qualities that were evident in his many years of employment throughout North Iowa.
He spent 23 years driving trucks for B & E Trucking, work that demanded long hours, responsibility and dedication.
He later worked for ENO Hybrid for 14 years, followed by another 13 years at the Sheffield Farmer Coop.
Even as his career progressed, Gordon remained active in the workforce. Before retiring, he worked as a delivery driver for Kreiger’s Floral, adding another chapter to a working life that extended across several industries.
Altogether, those years represented decades of service to businesses and communities throughout the region.
Gordon’s contributions were not limited to his employment.
He was an active member of the Evening Lions Club, first in Sheffield and later with the Mason City chapter.
Through the Lions Club, he remained connected with fellow community members and an organization dedicated to helping others.
His faith also held an important place in his life. Gordon was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Mason City, where he maintained connections with his church community.
Although work occupied much of his time, Gordon especially valued the moments he could spend with family and friends.
Those closest to him knew a man who believed in the importance of putting in an honest day’s work while making time for the people who mattered most.
His family’s remembrance emphasizes that his exceptional work ethic will remain one of the qualities for which he is remembered.
But beyond the years spent behind the wheel of a truck or contributing to local businesses, Gordon’s life was also measured through his relationships as a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He shared nearly three-quarters of a century with Arlene, and together they built a family whose generations continue to carry their memories forward.
Gordon is survived by his daughter, Sue (Tom) Barnes, and daughter-in-law, Cheri Kammrad.
He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Mindy (Dereck) Klaassen and Jennifer (Joe) Cox, along with his great-grandchildren, Ryan and Alex Kuennen, Morgan Klaassen, and Matthew, Megan and Sam Cox.
Gordon was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Arlene; his son Mike, who died in 2024; and his daughter, Connie, who died in infancy.
He was also preceded in death by his siblings, George, David, Louis and MaryAnn, and his parents, Walter and Amelia Kammrad.
Having lived through nearly a century of change, Gordon leaves behind the example of a man who remained committed to his responsibilities, his family, his faith and the communities he called home.
From his early years in Chapin to his working life in Sheffield and Mason City, he demonstrated the value of perseverance and dependable service.
His memory will live on through the family he cherished, the friendships he maintained and the many years he devoted to working and helping others.
Family and friends may offer condolences, share memories and find additional service information through Major Erickson Funeral Home’s obituary for Gordon C. Kammrad.
NorthIowaToday.com publishes obituaries and remembrances for families and funeral homes free of charge.