Gregory R. Aylsworth

Gregory R. Aylsworth, 60, of Wadena, Iowa, died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, July 21, 2025, at his home in Wadena.

Memorial Service: 10:30 A.M. Friday, July 25, 2025, at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Arlington, with Reverend Mark Yackel-Juleen officiating.
Visitation: 4:00 to 7:00 P.M., Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Arlington, and for one hour before the service at the funeral home on Friday.
Inurnment: Wadena Cemetery, Wadena, Iowa.

Gregory Ray Aylsworth was born on June 17, 1965, in West Union, Iowa, to Francis Eugene and Janet Kathryn (DeWald) Aylsworth. He was baptized at the Wadena Presbyterian Church and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Arlington. Greg graduated from Valley High School with the class of 1983. While in high school he spent his summers working for his family’s house moving business. After graduation Greg was in a sledding accident that left him paralyzed. He later moved to California and graduated from Sonoma State University with a degree in Marine Biology. While in California Greg met and married Amy Grupen, becoming a stepfather to her 4 daughters. They moved back to Iowa where he was employed in the lab at the University of Iowa doing stem cell research for several years. Greg and Amy later divorced.

Greg enjoyed playing cards, watching sports (especially the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs), hunting, fishing, kayaking and being outdoors. He lived a simple life and was generous to those he loved.

Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Janet DeWald of Guerneville, California; stepmother, Gloria Aylsworth of Wadena, Iowa; brother, Ron (Beth) Aylsworth of Wadena, Iowa; sister, Tricia (Dennis) Whittle of Volga, Iowa; step-daughters: Jamy (Kyle) Schumacher of Lone Tree, Iowa; Quinn (Cliff) Von Sprecken of Springville, Iowa; Sarah (Greg) Birkhofer of Lone Tree, Iowa; Tyler (Chris) Grupen of Devon, England; Nieces: Ashley (Justin) Hazen of Liscomb, Iowa; Danielle Whittle of Volga, Iowa; Nephews: Austin Aylsworth of Wadena, Iowa; Taylor (Ellen) Whittle of Strawberry Point, Iowa; Tom Whittle of Volga, Iowa; 6 step granddaughters: Mia Heidtbrink, Lydia Schumacher, Rumi Schumacher, Milo Begany, Luna Begany & Etta Von Sprecken; 3 great nieces and 1 great nephew; many close friends; & his cat: Bill.

Preceding him in death were his grandparents Bert and Hazel Aylsworth; father: Gene Aylsworth; brother: Daniel Aylsworth: and sister: Jeanne Africa.