Walter “Gerry” Wurster

Walter “Gerry” Wurster, formerly of Lenox and Mount Ayr, passed away Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Gerry was born Feb. 26, 1935, on the farm in rural Lenox to Walter George and Letha Wurster (Basler). He attended school in Lenox graduating with the class of 1953. In 1957 after graduating from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, he joined the Air National Guard unit in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was sent to Texas to go through the Air Force Cadet Pilot school. While flying for the guard, he worked for American Family Life as an insurance adjuster until an opening came up in 1963 with Trans World Airlines. He had the opportunity to fly the Convair 880, the Boeing 707, 767 and the 747, which was his favorite plane.

On Feb. 14, 1966, he joined in marriage to Joan Smith. They moved to San Francisco where he flew Mac Charters, transporting soldiers to Vietnam. In 1970, he flew TWA’s around the world with flights taking 14 days. That same year, Gerry and Joan built their home and settled in Lenox raising three daughters.

Between flights, his real joy was helping his brother Jim and brother-in-law Keith on the farm and making land improvements. Gerry was also a part-time international and domestic representative for Brown Bear Corp. Family travels and adventures with the girls and friends were special to him. He wanted to show them the world and what fun things were out there to do. Water skiing, snow skiing, rafting and snowmobiling were just some of the things he loved. He was always planning his next trip. Gerry played as hard as he worked.

After retirement in 1992, his time was spent continuing to build his collections, especially classic cars. His first love was riding off-road with his buddies on trails in Utah, all along the Colorado River and the sand dunes in Glamis. After spending many winters in Arizona, they became residents.

Gerry was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jim.

Left to cherish memories of Gerry are his wife Joan of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; three daughters, Donna Young (Ed) of Branson, Missouri, Michele Sobotka (Dar) of Clearfield and Nicole Wurster (Tom) of Tempe, Arizona, four grandchildren, Amanda Carpenter (Barrett) of Omaha, Nebraska, Derrick Young (Holly) of St Louis, Missouri, Katelyn Sobotka of Des Moines and Jacob Sobotka of Iowa City; great-grandchild Caleb Carpenter; sister Jean Lindell (Keith) of Lenox; sister-in-law Judy Wurster of Lenox; nephews, nieces and many long-time friends and extended family Gerry cherished.

No services will be held and the family requests memorials be sent to your favorite charity.