Dan Gehler,
October 24, 1959 — June 30, 2021
It is with immense sadness to announce the passing of Rev. Daniel Jay Gehler on June 30, 2021. He passed away peacefully at his home in Earling, Iowa at the age of 61.
Born on October 24, 1959 to August and Janice (Milleman) Gehler in Mason City, Iowa. A native of Spencer, IA, Dan graduated from Spencer High School in 1978 and went on to earn his undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in Computer Science from Iowa State University. Dan's first career was excelling as a Computer Programming Consultant before the world knew what that was yet. Simultaneously, he was a Computer Science Professor at Simpson College, doing what he liked most, teaching others.
His continual thirst for learning, combined with his lifelong commitment and passion for his Catholic Faith, led him to pursuing his Purpose, becoming a Catholic Priest. After becoming a Deacon, Dan enrolled at the University of St. Thomas where he graduated on May 20, 2016. After being ordained, he became an associate pastor at St. Anthony’s in Des Moines under Msgr. Chido. Father Dan has been with St. Joseph's in Earling and St. Peter's in Defiance since March 1, 2019 and in 2021 he became pastor at St. Michael's in Harlan.
Dan had many hobbies and interests, including his eternal love affair with trains. As a kid he loved collecting and assembling them and as an adult one of his greatest joys was vacationing by riding trains across the country. Dan was always the kindness glue that held his family together and the calming gravity that everyone looked to for guidance. His sharp-witted, timely sense of humor and his unmistakable laugh will be missed immensely.
In addition to his parents, Dan was preceded in death by his brother, Christopher Gehler. Dan will be lovingly remembered by his two forever grateful siblings Kimber Beyner of Gilbert, Arizona and Joseph Powers Nashville, Tennessee; his niece Brooke Gehler of Spencer, Iowa; other relatives and several church parishioners.
Born on October 24, 1959 to August and Janice (Milleman) Gehler in Mason City, Iowa. A native of Spencer, IA, Dan graduated from Spencer High School in 1978 and went on to earn his undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in Computer Science from Iowa State University. Dan's first career was excelling as a Computer Programming Consultant before the world knew what that was yet. Simultaneously, he was a Computer Science Professor at Simpson College, doing what he liked most, teaching others.
His continual thirst for learning, combined with his lifelong commitment and passion for his Catholic Faith, led him to pursuing his Purpose, becoming a Catholic Priest. After becoming a Deacon, Dan enrolled at the University of St. Thomas where he graduated on May 20, 2016. After being ordained, he became an associate pastor at St. Anthony’s in Des Moines under Msgr. Chido. Father Dan has been with St. Joseph's in Earling and St. Peter's in Defiance since March 1, 2019 and in 2021 he became pastor at St. Michael's in Harlan.
Dan had many hobbies and interests, including his eternal love affair with trains. As a kid he loved collecting and assembling them and as an adult one of his greatest joys was vacationing by riding trains across the country. Dan was always the kindness glue that held his family together and the calming gravity that everyone looked to for guidance. His sharp-witted, timely sense of humor and his unmistakable laugh will be missed immensely.
In addition to his parents, Dan was preceded in death by his brother, Christopher Gehler. Dan will be lovingly remembered by his two forever grateful siblings Kimber Beyner of Gilbert, Arizona and Joseph Powers Nashville, Tennessee; his niece Brooke Gehler of Spencer, Iowa; other relatives and several church parishioners.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dan Gehler,, please visit our flower store.