Obituary for Rick Gesie | Locke Funeral Services

Rick Gesie

May 29, 1953 - October 11, 2024

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Rejoicing Goose's Life

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Starting at 4:00 PM

Locke at Tower Park

4140 Kimball Ave,
Waterloo, IA 50701

Memorial Gathering

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Locke at Tower Park

4140 Kimball Ave,
Waterloo, IA 50701

Memorials

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the following organizations: Waterloo Fire Rescue Honor Guard, Waterloo Fire Rescue Scholarship Fund, Cedar Valley Hospice, and Carroll County Mental Health Advocates, Carrollton, Georgia

Rick "Goose" Gesie (71) of Waterloo, Iowa, passed away on October 11th at home, surrounded by family.

Rick was born in Monticello, Iowa in 1953 to parents Robert "Dewey" Gesie and Claire O'Rourke Gesie. After graduating from Monticello High School in 1971, he entered the US Air Force, stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota. Rick was honorably discharged in 1975. He attended UNI for 2 years before being hired in 1978 at Waterloo Fire Rescue, retiring in 2015 after 37 years of service.

In July of 2002, Rick married Julie Henniges-Lang. Together he and Julie and their 5 children and their spouses, and 9 grandchildren had many happy times together. Rick's most favorite times were spent vacationing or just being together with all of them. He was a huge dog lover and spent hours playing with and fussing over his dogs everyday. He loved any opportunity to cook for "the boys" at Waterloo Fire Rescue. He looked forward to spending time with his friends and was truly interested in what was going on in their lives.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Robert "Dewey" Gesie and Claire O'Rourke Gesie, sisters Jenny Gesie and Patty Holten, grandparents and his father in law, Kenny Henniges. He is survived by his wife Julie, daughters Sara Gesie-Peace (Mike), Amanda Hilton (Brian), son Tim Gesie (Jordan), daughters Aleshia Lamos (Mark), and Whitney Brown (Joey). Rick is survived by 9 grandchildren that he was most proud of and absolutely adored; Olivia, Gavin, Brody, Riley, Camrynn, Ava, Logan, Mila and Soren. He is survived by one sister, Tina Haag (Tom) of Monticello, brothers Mick Gesie (Chris) of Solon, Rob Gesie (Diane) of Monticello, mother in law Jan Henniges, brother in law Randy Henniges, sisters in law Jean Allen and Jill Henniges (Pete), Uncle Gene and Aunt Lanita Gesie and Aunt Regina Schmidt, all of Dubuque, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Rick made sure everyone in his circle knew how much he loved them and he knew how much he was loved by each of them. Special survivors, the Neal family of Georgia, the Foster Family, the Lang family, the Ward family, JD, Taylor and Aubrey, Jon and Tif, Jason and Lisa, Pinky and all his brothers and sisters of Waterloo Fire Rescue and the Menard's crew.

Visitation will take place at Locke Funeral Home at Tower Park, Waterloo, on October 22nd from 1-4 pm, with a memorial service at 4 pm.

Condolences

I am so very sad to hear of Rick”s passing. I have many wonderful memories of Rick and Julie and our time at Hawkeye. Many prayers to Julie and the family.

Barbara Krieg Nenning

I am so very sad to hear of Rick”s passing. I have many wonderful memories of Rick and Julie and our time at Hawkeye. Many prayers to Julie and the family.

Barbara Menning

Rest in Peace "Sir". You will be missed.

Marilyn Wortham

I am not sure where to start...30 ish years ago I took care of your kids while you and Deb worked...I always loved asking Tim where you were working on the days I knew you were at the plasma center because he was just so darn cute when he would say llasma center...then we would go out and work on his maro...life kept us in touch via Best Buy and then You and Larry working on getting photos rounded up for the history book...saying you will be missed is a understatement...RIP Rick

Larry and Lisa Hart Klodt

So sorry to hear about Rick’s passing. Y’all are in our thoughts and prayers.

Ashley Coarts

Julie, Sara, Tim, Mandy, and family, We're heartbroken about Rick's premature death. Our hearts go out to all of you and you will remain in our prayers. Rick was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, fireman, and person. May all of you savor the memories he's left with you and know you're surrounded by love & support.

Cathy Young

Loved your family. Served country and community. Rest in peace Rick.

Jeff Lamos

I am so sorry for your loss. The Gesie family goes back 58 years, when we moved to Monticello, near the Gesie family-the first family to call for babysitters. So we watched Rick and his siblings grow up and spread their wings. Rick's sister, Tina was especially close. Besides caring for your children I worked with her for many years in the State Farm Insurance office on Main Street. My you enjoy the many memories you have of Rick.

Shirley (Green) Gutzeit

I would like to express my sincere condolences to all of Rick’s family friends, and brother and sister firefighters. I knew Rick as a firefighter, even though I worked at another department. Enjoyed bumping into him at Menards, and catching a conversation, or I guess BS. May eternal be rest be upon you, rest in Peace brother.

Paul Schaefer

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