Gordon Maxwell Stone

Gordon Maxwell Stone died in his sleep at home in Marathon, Iowa on June 24, 2024 at the age of 97.

Funeral services will take place Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Marathon Community Center in Marathon, Iowa. Burial will be in the Poland Township Cemetery in Marathon. Visitation will be held Friday, June 28, 2024 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in SIOUX RAPIDS. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements. 

Gordon Maxwell Stone was born near Linn Grove, Iowa on April 2, 1927. His parents were James E. and Ellen M. (Thomas) Stone.

Gordon attended school at Cornell, Iowa until the eighth grade. In 1941, the family moved to the farm west of Marathon. He graduated from Marathon High School in 1945. After graduation, he farmed with his father and after his father’s death he farmed until his retirement in 1992. He remained active after that, helping on the farm.

In 1955, he married Betty Ann Wittrock at the Methodist Church in Hartley, Iowa. They lived on the family farm until Betty’s death in 2013. To this union were born three children: Bruce L. Stone, Sandra R. Stone, and Debera K. Howdle.

Gordon was a member of the Methodist Church and served on the board for some time. He was very active as chairman of the Board of Trustees. He was also a member of the Board of the Retirement Housing of Marathon for several years.

Gordon and Betty loved to travel after retirement. They took several cruises including Alaska and the Panama Canal as well as a trip to Australia and New Zealand. Gordon’s last big trip was to Florida two years ago to visit his nieces and nephews. Gordon was also an avid fisherman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers, his beloved wife of 58 years, Betty, and his son, Bruce.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters: Sandi Stone; Deb (Dave) Howdle; daughter-in-law, Laurie Stone; grandchildren: Brian (Amanda) Dornsbach; Heather (Broox) Czarnecki; Hillary (Travis) Miller; Josh (Kylie) Howdle; Mark Howdle; Dani Stone; 12 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

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