Gary Kolbeck

Gary Dean Kolbeck, age 87, passed away on January 21, 2026 in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Webster City High School and Morningside College, where he played basketball. Upon graduation he began teaching in Salix, Iowa, then he and his family moved to Nevada, Iowa, where he continued his teaching and coaching career. He taught P.E. and later was the coordinator for the DECA program. Gary was actively involved in high school athletics as a baseball and basketball coach. He also was an official at both the high school and collegiate levels. He shifted his career path and worked as a salesman for an agricultural equipment company. He then moved to Georgia and joined his son-in-law in the construction business, and upon retirement, enjoyed traveling in the winter and living on the Mississippi River in the summer, where he fished and boated. He bought a house in Arkansas and continued to enjoy the outdoors for many years. Eventually he moved to Independence Village in Ankeny, Iowa, where he made many new friends and made everyone smile.

Gary is survived by his children Kevin (Michelle) from Santa Paula, California and their children Michael, Sarah, Rachael, Rebecca, Leah, Daniel, Ben, Hannah and Susanna; Kim (Marc) Andresen from Ankeny, Iowa and their children Kelsey, Christine and Cathleen; Kristy (Jerry) Voss from Port Charlotte, Florida and their children Ryan, Erin and Megan; Kelly Meeks from Wausau, Wisconsin and her children Matt, Jacob, Chad and Jordan; and Kathy (Tony) Carlson from Marietta, Georgia and their children Cody, Coray and Cash. Gary adored his 22 grandchildren and loved attending as many of their activities as he could. As of now, his legacy continues with his 40 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Roxann Hadaway, brothers David (Judy) Kolbeck, and Dennis (Sandy) Kolbeck, and sister-in-law Kay Wilson, as well as his ex-wife Jackie Kolbeck.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Irene Kolbeck; his brothers Don Wilson and Jim Kolbeck; his sisters Carol Knoll, Dorothy Stahl; his brothers-in-law Bruce Hadaway, Dick Knoll and Everett Stahl; and his sister-in-law Mary Jean Kolbeck.

Gary enjoyed many hobbies including coin collecting, searching for beanie babies (back in the day), collecting Wheaties boxes and Caitlin Clark memorabilia, but his most prized possession was his 1951 red Plymouth convertible that he restored.

We hope the next time you have a margarita, you will raise your glass to Gary!

Services for Gary will be held at a later date. Please check Gary’s obituary online for any updates.