Gary “Rock” Charles Pancratz, 67, of Dubuque, Iowa passed into heaven on May 7th, 2024 at home surrounded by his family.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024 at St. Joseph The Worker Catholic Church with Fr. Brian Dellaert officiating.  Entombment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery. A Celebration of Gary’s Life will follow the burial at Happy’s Place, 2323 Rockdale Rd, beginning at 4:00 p.m. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family.

Gary was born in Dubuque to Charles and Mary Dorothy (McCarthy) Pancratz. He met his wife, Cindy (Zimmerman) while attending Dubuque Senior High School, and they married on February 5, 1977. They have three children and six grandchildren. He worked even harder than he played, and always prioritized his family. He labored professionally in construction, and later roofing and floor installation, but was never too busy to help a friend or family member with anything. Born with “the gift of gab,” Gary’s outgoing personality naturally earned him many friends, whom he routinely referred to by nickname. Everywhere he went he knew someone, and he usually left knowing even more. He loved to tell jokes and knew just how to deliver them. He drew out smiles and laughter from almost every conversation, and generated an entire library of “Garyisms” that will forever be ingrained in the language of his kin.

In his youth, Gary excelled at a variety of sports, including football, wrestling and track. He later greatly enjoyed football season, and particularly watching the Bears and the Hawkeyes. In his free time, he enjoyed gardening and took pride in producing fresh veggies and his annual pumpkins. He loved to tinker and toil with all manners of projects and machines, but most especially his cherished John Deere, as though there could never be a replacement for such a fine piece of equipment. Gary always looked forward to Sunday dinners with his family. He adored his grandchildren, and especially at times when the house was full and chaotic, he would nod his head approvingly and comment, “This is what it’s all about.” After he retired, he discovered that he enjoyed baking. Among the many concoctions he loved to share, his most frequent and memorable dishes (especially for his Grandkiddos) were “Papa’s” bread, chocolate chip cookies, and homemade pizza.

Gary is survived by his wife, Cindy, children Cassie Pancratz (Keith Bechen), Katie (Dave) Barnes, Noah (Lauren) Pancratz, his precious grandchildren, Isaac, Madeline, Taylor, and Alexandra Gukeisen, Everley and Ford Pancratz, siblings Charlene (Robert) Lynch, Emily (Bobby) Fisher, Patty (Jerry) Oberhoffer, an aunt Lillian Kies, life-long close friend Pete Eischeid, and many in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Dorothy and infant siblings Daniel, William, and Elizabeth.

Gary’s family would like to thank Dr. Engelman and his staff at Medical Associates Oncology along with Tami and the Hospice of Dubuque team for their loving and gracious care.

A Gary C. Pancratz Memorial Fund has been established.