Douglas Gaer, 76, formerly of Cumberland

Doug was a humble, gracious man. One cold November day last fall he disappeared into his office and composed the following obituary. He didn’t know he would be stricken with stage 4 cancer just 6 short months later. These are Doug’s own words.

“This is my obituary, written in November, 2022. Unusual, yes, but factual, except for the exit date and cause of my final days.

Douglas Ford Gaer was an only child and was born March 23, 1947 to Cavender R. Gaer and Loretta B. (Peerman) Gaer from Cumberland, IA. Doug was one of 225 babies born in the Massena Hotel. He attended C&M school and graduated in 1965 and went to Northwest Missouri State college after graduation.

In 1967, Doug married his high school sweetheart, Dixie Williams from Massena. They moved to Des Moines, IA where Doug worked in the accounting area of the home office of General United Life in West Des Moines until they moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1974.

While in Des Moines, two children were born to the couple, Brett and Bethany.

Doug was employed by Lincoln Benefit Life and later, Allstate Life from 1974 until his retirement in 2008. During that time, Doug had several different jobs in various departments in the home office.

Two more children were born to Dixie and Doug during this time, Bradi and Blake.

Dixie and Doug were able to do some traveling over the years and enjoyed spending time at Lake Okoboji in northern Iowa. Doug liked to golf (was never very good), fish (never caught the big one) and spending time outdoors (not in cold weather). His enjoyment included being with his family of 4 children and 5 grandchildren.”

Doug wrote his obituary in November of 2022. Much happiness blessed our family in the following months. Just weeks before his death, he was able to meet his newest grandson Miles and his first great grandchild Scarlett. Those left behind to cherish his loving memory are his wife Dixie; sons Brett (Amy Vitek) and Blake (Jessie Lee) Gaer; daughters Bethany (Jon) Smalley and Bradi Gaer; grandchildren Madeline Gaer, Michael Gaer, Meredith Gaer, Isabel Smalley, Monroe Smalley, and Miles Gaer; great-granddaughter Scarlett Anderson; treasured friends and relatives.

A Celebration of Life is planned for October 14, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in Greenfield, Iowa at the Lamb Funeral Home, 101 SE 4th Street. A luncheon reception will follow at the Historic Hotel Greenfield, 110 E. Iowa Street. The hotel held a special place in Doug’s heart. Over the years he and Dixie spent many happy weekends staying there while visiting friends and family in the area. Please come and share fellowship and stories as we remember and honor Doug.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.  The Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements.