Chuck Vannatta

Chuck Vannatta, 85, of rural Gilman passed peacefully the night of Friday, June 25th, 2021 with his wife Karen at his side. He had been at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames for 62 days. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 6th (please note date) at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Dillon with Pastor Fred Berry officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Lutheran Cemetery of Dillon with full military honors by the combined VFW/American Legion Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 5th at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Memorials may be directed to his family. His funeral will be livestreamed for those unable to attend. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com . Ph. 641-844-1234. Charles George Vannatta, born to Ernie and Ila (Aves) Vannatta on August 1st, 1935, near State Center. He attended Dillon Country School and advanced to LeGrand Consolidated School, graduating in 1953 and was the last surviving member of his class. Chuck served in the United States Air Force from 1954 to 1957 with most of his duty in Fairbanks, Alaska. Returning home he worked six years at Osco Drug, before beginning his 36-year career at Fisher Controls. He married Delores Ankrum, later divorcing. They had 3 children: Tracy, Joel and Gina. On May 20th, 1967 Chuck married the love of his life, Karen Hauser, in East Moline, Illinois. They celebrated 54 wonderful years together and raised two children, Brett and Brooke. They spent 51 years on their rural Gilman acreage, where Karen still resides. Together they traveled to all 50 states and camped for many years. They spent 18 years wintering in South Texas. Chuck was a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Dillon and a former District Governor of Lions Club International.  His hobbies including travel, caring for the acreage, attending auctions, watching the Hawkeyes, Cubs and NASCAR and working word find puzzles. Chuck is survived by his wife Karen of rural Gilman, son Brett of St. Cloud, FL, daughter Brooke (Nick) Ruemmele of West Des Moines, son Joel (Desiree) of TN and daughter Gina (Steve) Critchlow of Carlisle. He also leaves behind 12 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law. He is preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, daughter Tracy Monk and siblings: Donna Hoge Crookshank, Don Vannatta, Myrna (Dave) Savage, Dan (Margaret) Vannatta and Jim Vannatta. or those unable to attend, services will be available at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell-Family-Funeral-Home-99280714047/ .