"Our thoughts and prayers are with you Tom,Betty and all of the Gumm family. So sorry to hear about Doc. Hold his smile close to your hearts. "
In loving memory of
D.R. Doc Gumm
June 15, 1928 - October 14, 2012
D.R. "Doc" Gumm, age 84, of Spirit Lake, passed away Sunday, October 14, 2012, at his home in Spirit Lake. He was born on June 15, 1928, in Bagley, Iowa, to Roy and Gladys (Murphy) Gumm.
Doc graduated from Dow City High School. He was united in marriage to Betty West on August 3, 1947, in Ft. Dodge, Iowa. Doc worked for the Illinois Central Railroad for 37 years before retiring in 1981. After retiring, he worked for the Arnolds Park Amusement Park running the train and as a security guard at the Clay County Fair.
Doc was always joking and laughing with his many friends, young and old. He enjoyed spending his winters in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida. He was a member of the Moose Lodge, the American Legion and the United Transportation Union.
Doc is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty Gumm of Spirit Lake; daughter, Debra Orness and her husband, Tim, of Ft. Dodge; three sons, Steven Gumm and his wife, Mary, of Pine, Colorado, Daniel Gumm and his wife, Georgia, of Ft. Dodge, and Thomas Gumm and Kaydee, of West Des Moines; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; niece, Kay Kofoed of Cedar Falls; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Kenneth, Gerald, Gary and Donald.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00P.M. Thursday, October 18, 2012, at the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake. There will be two hours of visitation prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery.
The Schuchert Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"Love you Dad, Your Daughter"
"I knew the Gumm family because my uncle Joel and Aunt Louise were good friends with the Gumms. I also worked with Debbie at Iowa Central. My heart felt sympathy goes out to Debbie, her mom Betty, and the rest of the families"
"Doc was a class act that is for sure. I never knew his name, it was just Doc. Condolences to Betty and the rest of the Gumm family. I am sure he is in heaven telling all his stories to a huge audience. God Bless "
"Memory of my uncle Doc goes way back. Back to the stories of how he lost part of his thumb. Back to stories about a car wreck shortly after learning to drive Back to his leaving home at age 16 to get a job Back to when I saw in his first apartment an ICE Box that kept food cold with a block of ice. Back to when we all called him by his real first name (I dare not say it today!) My Dad, Kenny, had his own name for Doc, DOOOOdle. Who knows where he came up with that name, he had different names for his favorite people. To my Dad, I was "Kid Kay" but that is another story. Back to when he started adding rooms on to this little house, as first 3 boys and the a girl arrived. Back to when he added a room on to his bigger house so Marg, mother-in-law could live with the family. Back when he had a dog named Candy. More recently when he walked me down the isle at my wedding. Other than Betty and Willard, his cousin...I think I knew him longer time than anyone around. He has taken a piece of me but I have the memories SECURE. He was a fun gentle guy. As I think to myself, "What would Dad say if he is just now joining up with Doc?"..he would say,"What took you so long?" Uncle Doc has now arrived and in time we shall follow."
"Dear Doc, Thanks so much for a lifetime full of wonderful memories, experiences and lessons learned. Since my birth, you, Betty and the Gumm kids have been akin to a second family for me. On occasion, I've make you mad and you'd let me know by giving me "H-E-double toothpicks," but I always reasoned it was because you cared so much what happened to me - just like Mom and Dad. Be it answering a collect phone call from a homesick young Sailor stationed in Guam at his first duty station, to being there for me during the heart-wrenching agony of mom's recent passing, to a speeding golf cart exit via your yard one night after a few games of 31 and "associated beverages," the memories are as many as the tears shed since your departure upwards. Although it's very hard to see the pain in faces of so many people who love and miss you, I know you're in a pain-free environment and cracking jokes in your new digs though you might consider toning them a few of them down a bit now. I just hope that since there's no Lord Calverts in heaven, I hope you packed a shovel as there's a bit more distance than originally planned between you and dad down here, so when you play hooky from Heaven you two can have that drink. Say hi to every for me ok! Love, Rick"
"Doc as everyone called him. Doc enjoyed visiting with family and friends, like most Gumm's. Doc and Betty came to every Gumm Family Reunion on Memorial Day weekend,Ray and Wilma Gumm had at the farm south of Jefferson Iowa.I got to grow up know cousins I other wise would have never known.Doc and Betty made every Gumm Reunion. After Ray and Wilma Gumm passed away, Doc and Betty took the lead in keeping the Gumm Family Reunion continuing. Doc and Betty always stopped in at the Farm south of Jefferson Iowa to visit with Family on the way back from Florida to Okaboji Iowa. Doc has Graduated in the school of life, flying like a Eagle. We will all miss him."
"Will any one else miss his toothpick as much as I will??"
"Doc you will be missed around the neighborhood that is for sure. You always had a hi and had time for everyone. We will remember you for your great smile and joking ways."
"Tom, thinking of your and your family. Looking through my desk drawer last week and found the picture of all of us at lake and me sitting on his lap. Great picture of all of us. "
"Doc was one of the true treasures to all of us at Triboji beach. I am sure my grandparents Glenn and Pauline Dailey were one of the first to welcome Doc to Heaven and glad to have him back in the neighborhood. Doc's smile could radiant a room. Once he knew you or your family you were a friend for life. We are glad he is no longer in pain and running around heaven getting to know all the other triboji family that has been waiting for him. Thoughts and prayers to the family from all the Daileys. Doc will be truly missed. "
"Triboji has truly lost a neighborhood leader and friend. We will miss you Doc. Our thoughts & prayers are with Betty and all the Gumm family."
"What a great friend and neighbor to my Folks Doc and Beulah. A great time was always had by all , either at the lake or Fort Meyers. A 50+ years family friend. Will miss you and Love you Doc thank you for all the wonderful memories. Love Sal "