John L. Gansen, 75, of Epworth, Iowa, passed away on November 26, 2019 at The Trinity Center in Farmington, MN.

A gathering of friends and relatives will be held from 3 to 7 on Thursday, December 26, 2019 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth, Iowa.

He was born June 30, 1944 in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Louis J. and Phyllis A. (Schlosser) Gansen. He is a graduate of the former St. Clements School in Bankston, IA. On September 2, 1967 he was united in marriage to Margaret “Peggy” McDermott. She preceded him in death on January 10, 2016.

He was a maintenance worker for Rentech Nitrogen in East Dubuque, Illinois for 47 years, retiring in 2014. He enjoyed going to stock car races, and fishing in his boat on the Mississippi. He especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, and his life companion his dog Amber, who became his salvation after losing his wife.

He was an Army veteran, serving during the Vietnam war.

He is survived by two children, Michele Gansen-Hedegaard of Eagan, MN and Christopher (Shannon) Gansen of Los Angeles, CA; Four grandchildren, Benned, Jackson and Hayden Hedegaard and Ava Gansen; Two brothers, Bob Gansen of East Dubuque, IL and Tom Gansen of Dubuque, IA; one brother-in-law, Dale Sheehy of Brooklyn, WI; his mother-in-law, Coletta McDermott of Epworth, IA; nine brothers and sisters-in-law, Patrick McDermott of Keizer, OR, Bonnie (Neal) Gotto of New Vienna, IA, Bernard (Mary) McDermott of Dubuque, IA, Terry (Connie) McDermott of Dubuque, Debby Forkenbrock of Epworth, IA, Donna (Patrick) Smith of Dubuque, IA, Sharon (Dave) Reardon of Dubuque, IA, Rhonda (Tom) Gotto of Epworth, IA and Mary (Gerry) Dermott-Weydert of Asbury, IA.

He is also preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Nancy Sheehy; his father-in-law, Donald C. “Benny” McDermott; and a brother-in-law, Jimmy McDermott.

The family would like to thank all the care givers for John, especially his Oncologist, Dr. Konstantinus Leventakos and the lung cancer care team at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com