Gary Maring

Gary Maring, 91, of Grinnell, Iowa, passed away on August 21, 2026, at the Mayflower Community Health Care Center in Grinnell.

Gary Copeland Maring was born, to Charles E. and Ruth M. (Copeland) Maring on October 10, 1934. He was the youngest of four children and grew up on the family farm in Grinnell, north of 16th Avenue and east of the railroad tracks. He attended country school at the corner of Penrose Street and 16th Avenue, then junior high and high school in the building now known as Hotel Grinnell. He graduated from Drake University with a degree in finance and served in the Army Reserves. Gary worked for Standard Oil as an agent overseeing home and service station deliveries, and later monitored finances for International Harvester.

In 1959, Gary married Sally Benson. They were married 66 years. Their marriage was a true example of lifelong love, devotion, and friendship. In Sally’s final years he was her ever present and loving caregiver. His love for Sally never faltered.

In 1966, Gary and Dave Benson (Sally’s brother), took over operation of the Benson turkey farm located south of Grinnell across from what is now Grinnell Motors and retired in 1996. He later worked at Grinnell’s first cell phone store and repaired sewing machines before declining vision led him to fully retire. Although his vision loss was challenging, he still found opportunities for new paths forward.

Gary was a gentle, loving father to his three daughters, Kimberly, Pamela, and Jennifer. His children and grandchildren brought him his greatest joy, and he remained an active, guiding presence in their lives. A friend to many, Gary was always ready to lend a hand without expecting anything in return. Remarkably intelligent and endlessly curious, he was always imagining better ways to do things. He had great wit and a dry sense of humor. Conversations with Gary were engaging and full of insight.

A private family service will be held at the Pleasant Township Cemetery in Ewart.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the Mayflower Community Human Needs Fund and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Gary’s family at www.smithfh.com.

Gary is survived by his three daughters, Kimberly (Terry) Pickett of Grinnell, Pamela (Owen) McClure of Fountain Hills, Arizona, and Jennifer (Ben) Zeigler of Gilbert, Iowa; six grandchildren, Kelsey (Ryan) Brandt, Katie Hardeman, Meredith McClure, Zachary McClure, Kylie Zeigler, and Sydney Zeigler; and great-grandchildren Beckett Brandt, Hadley Brandt, Cohen Kriegel, Maren Kriegel, and Asher Bernstein. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sally; his parents, Charles and Ruth Maring; his brothers Charles Jr. and Robert Maring, sister Barbara (Sal) McKinnon and his granddaughter, Matilyn McClure.