Gary Lee Housewright

Gary Lee Housewright, 73, of Carman, passed away peacefully with loved ones, Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.

Born March 28, 1953, in La Harpe, IL, he was the son of William A. and Norma Jean Limkeman Housewright. On December 17, 2011, he married Nicole "Nikki" Lynn Bower.

Gary graduated from La Harpe High School in 1971. Music was an early passion; while in school, he played keyboard in a local rock band-a memory he fondly remembered, talked of often, and would enthusiastically “demonstrate” on the steering wheel whenever those tunes played from the car stereo. Beginning as a boy, Gary worked in his family’s five-generation contracting business, learning the trade from the ground up. He later served as President of Housewright Contracting, taking great pride in the decades of projects the company completed across the Midwest, including work on numerous churches and high schools, extensive projects at The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, Monmouth College, Western Illinois University, and the full renovation of the historic Carthage Jail Visitor Center.

Gary had a lifelong love of collecting classic cars-especially Mustangs-and was an avid aviator who earned his commercial pilot’s license and instrument rating in Addison, Texas, in 1974. He loved flying his private planes and was always eager to share that joy with family and friends, enthusiastically offering them rides and taking them up into the skies.

A P.A.D.I. Master Scuba Diver, Gary had a true passion for adventure. This was a love he shared with his family through extensive travels to their favorite destinations, including Jamaica, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Through these adventures, he ignited that same spark for travel in Addison and Bill. Closer to home, Gary enthusiastically “drug the kids along” to airshows, classic car shows, races, live music, and street festivals-until they loved them too. His presence as a father was often found in simple moments: a swim in the pool, sharing a snack, or cruising around in his construction truck “checking the jobs.”

Building on his lifelong love of travel and adventure, Gary entered a new chapter. After retiring from general contracting shortly after moving in with his wife, Nikki, they backed and operated a local La Harpe shop, Gasoline Alley-providing the business and administrative support with Gary’s good friend, Jerry, running the shop as its mechanic. Nikki and Gary were later married in a spontaneous Las Vegas wedding right after he proposed. Together, they built a life defined by travel, simple pleasures, and a love for the water, mostly residing along the Mississippi River. Over those years, they also shared a deep love for rescue animals, fostering well over twenty Brussels Griffons-a unique breed Gary loved teaching about to almost everyone he met.

An avid road-tripper, Gary proudly completed a personal milestone of visiting all lower 48 states with Nikki and their two dogs in less than ten years-an achievement he loved to share with anyone who would listen. Their journeys were pure adventure, often setting off each morning with no fixed destination.

In the last quarter of his life, Gary lived out many of his ultimate travel dreams, taking a trip of a lifetime to Vietnam, traveling to Nicaragua three times (sharing separate trips with his brother Steve and wife Carol, and his step-son Alex), and visiting his son Bill in New Zealand for an unforgettable solo road trip together. In recent years, they began heading south during tax season, ultimately buying a winter home in Port Isabel, Texas, where Gary's love for the water continued. While Nikki worked remotely, Gary quickly immersed himself in the local community, making a warm circle of new Texas friends. Always wanting to share his adventures, Gary hosted a memorable visit from his daughter Julie, and earlier this year, a laughter-filled week-long vacation with Addison, Camryn, and Hadley. Above all the mileage and passport stamps, Gary treasured the quiet, everyday moments at home-especially loving his role as "Papa Bubby" to his granddaughters, and simply sitting on the porch with Nikki, taking in the water and talking.

Gary believed in giving back to his community. As a young man, he drove for the La Harpe Ambulance and later served with the Volunteer Reception Department at Great River Medical Center in West  Burlington. He also gave his time to the Valiant Air Command War Museum in Titusville, FL, where his natural talent for storytelling made him an exceptional tour guide.

Survivors include his wife of 14 years, Nikki Housewright; four children, Julie Leischner, William "Bill" (Lucy Scott) Housewright, Addison (Kurt) Dittmer, and Alex Bentzinger; eight grandchildren, Camryn, Hadley, Scotty, Charlie, Cass, Kelsey, Lauren, and Luke; great-grandchild, Julius; and brother, Steve (Carol) Housewright.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Terry Housewright; and his devoted heart dog Rio Housewright, who passed away 2 months ago.

In accordance with Gary's personal wishes, his body was donated to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program to further the education of future generations.

A Celebration of Life will be held later this fall.

Memorials have been established for the National Brussels Griffon Rescue (NBGR) and the Volunteer Department of the Great River Health Foundation.

Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.

Please continue to keep Gary's family in your thoughts during this difficult time.
 

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