William J. Gannon

William J. Gannon died March 27, 2024. Known by his aliases Bill, “Mingo,” Dad, and Grampa, he was a lifelong resident of Mingo, Iowa. Bill was from the beginning a black dirt farmer growing up on what is now the Gannon Century Farm with his parents Casey and Teresa Gannon, and sisters Mary Alice, Teresa Ann, Frances, and Joan. In 1964, the 27-year-old kid from Mingo was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives. He served three terms and was the Democratic Minority Leader during his final two terms. He was especially proud of the investments they made in public schools and ending the death penalty in the state of Iowa. He rode across the state on horseback, which made for great campaign pictures and complicated logistics. Bill traded suit and tie for yellow shirts and green pants, owning and operating the Farmer’s Supply Store, the local John Deere dealership for 24 years, before retiring to what his wife Kathleen called the world’s most expensive habit – full-time farming. Bill’s public service continued throughout his life, serving his community on the Colfax-Mingo School Board for 21 years, proudly handing a diploma to each of his three children.

Speaking of three children, Bill married Kathleen Kennedy of New Hampton on January 3, 1970. Fifty-four years later they have shared more than their fair share of laughs in Mingo, Kona, honky-tonks, and fancy hotel bars. Many of those laughs due to the antics or wit of their children Matt, Tim, and Clare. The family was complete when it was joined with Alissa, Emma, and Isabel; Liz, Lucy, and Grace, and Jano and Finnegan.

Monday, April 1 a wake and visitation will be held from 5 pm – 7 pm at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Colfax. The funeral mass will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, April 2 at Immaculate Conception. Memorial contributions may be made to Colfax-Mingo Scholarships or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. If you really want to honor him, vote for the Democrats this and every fall.