OBITUARY: George Gast, Mitchell County, Iowa George J. Gast [Mitchell County Press-News online - Posted May 15, 2002] Funeral services for George J. Gast, age 79 will be held at 1:30 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2002 at the First United Methodist Church, 819 Main Street in Osage. Rev. Karen Nichols Dungan will officiate. Interment will be at the Osage Cemetery in Osage. Visitation is from 4 pm to 8 pm Wednesday at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, 702 State Street in Osage (641) 732-3706 and one hour before services at the church. Gast died Saturday, May 11, 2002, at his home in Osage. George was born on Oct. 20, 1922 in rural Nora Springs, the son of Clifford and Alma (Paulson) Gast. He went to country school through the 8th grade and attended Osage Community Schools graduating in 1940 as Class Valedictorian. He then attended Iowa State University in Ames, IA and graduated in 1944 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural education. George excelled at sports in high school and college. In 1940 he was the State Champion Wrestler and Discus thrower. At Iowa State University he earned eight athletic letters in track and field, football and wrestling. He was the 1943 NCAA champion javelin thrower. After graduation from college George coached and taught vocational agricultural in Osage High School from 1944 to 1948. During this period he met Violette Lester and they were united in marriage on Feb. 26, 1946 in Hampton, IA. In 1948 he purchased the Osage Feed and Seed Company which he owned and operated until his retirement at the end of 1984. George and Vi enjoyed many winters during their retirement in St. Petersburg, FL. George was a Sunday School teacher at the First United Methodist Church in Osage for many years and also served a term on the Osage Community School Board. He was an avid golfer and won a club championship in three different decades. He enjoyed his weekly golf matches with friends. George was also a checker player. He enjoyed playing against some of the nation's best players when he and Vi wintered in St. Petersburg. He was the Iowa State Checker Champion a number of years. In 1993 George was inducted into the "Iowa High School Wrestling Hall of Fame" and in April of 2002 he was inducted into "The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame" in Cresco, IA. George was a man of great character and integrity and a wonderful husband and father, who will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Preceding George in death were his parents Clifford and Alma Gast; a brother Clyndon Gast; one niece Nancy Gast and one nephew Jerry Gast. Gast is survived by his wife Violette of Osage; three sons, Charles Gast of New York City; Gary Gast and his wife Kari of Osage; John Gast of New York City; two grandchildren, Luke and Amber Gast of Osage; two step- grandchildren, Kasandra and Arthur Schwab of Osage; two brothers, Dick Gast and wife Lyla of Osage; Bill Gast and his wife Colleen of Nora Springs; one sister Marlys Wegman and her husband Clarence of Inver Grove Heights, MN and many nieces and nephews. Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Inc. was in charge of arrangements. Copyright (c) 2002 by Kermit Kittleson (Note: I am not necessarily related to the subject of the obituary.) This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. **************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material,must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ****************************************************************************