Gaylord Verle Alger

Gaylord Verle Alger, age 82, was born on January 8, 1943, in Mason City, Iowa, to Cecil Laverne and Irene (Reeves) Alger.

Gaylord attended elementary school in Garner, Iowa, and graduated from Mason City High School in 1961. He was united in marriage to Marcia Erdmann on November 6, 1965, in Garner, Iowa. Gaylord and Marcia were blessed with three children: Julie, Jeff, and Joleen. He was a proud grandpa to six grandchildren—Seth, Derek, Cael, Alex, Ashton, and Dylan—and cherished his four great-grandchildren: Liam, Oliver, Eden, and Alba. On November 6, 2025, Gaylord and Marcia celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Gaylord was employed by Decker’s Meatpacking in Mason City for several years before its closure. He later worked as an accountant for Lennox in Des Moines, retiring in 2008. In addition to his professional career, Gaylord operated a bookkeeping and tax service from his home for more than 30 years, where he met and served many wonderful people.

An avid outdoorsman, Gaylord enjoyed pheasant hunting in northern Iowa with family and friends and loved fishing. Wherever he traveled, he made sure to have a fishing pole close by—just in case. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and All Saints Catholic Church. After retirement, Gaylord and Marcia enjoyed traveling together and camping, taking in many beautiful sights.

The final year and a half of Gaylord’s life was spent in a memory care residence.

Gaylord is survived by his wife, Marcia Alger; his children, Julie (Keith) Fulton, Jeff Alger, and Joleen (Chad) Cox; his grandchildren, Seth Fulton, Derek Fulton, Cael Cox, Alex Cox, Ashton Alger, and Dylan Alger; and his four great-grandchildren, Liam Fulton, Oliver Fulton, Eden Fulton, and Alba Fulton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Irene Alger.

Family will greet friends from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at All Saints Catholic Church, 650 NE 52nd Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa. A memorial service will follow immediately at 10:00 a.m. with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, 1 NE 60th Avenue, Des Moines.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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