George Schaller, age 85 of Storm Lake, IA, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 16, 2025. George Harry Schaller was born March 30, 1939, to Janet and Harry Schaller in Sioux City, IA. Immediately following, he was brought to, and raised in Storm Lake, IA.

   George’s first memories were of WWII, specifically men marching and the touring of his father’s B-24 at the airbase in Sioux City. During these early years George’s family lived on Lake Avenue next door to his grandparents and across the street from his Aunt Kay, where he had the run of the area’s backyards and knew every fish pond.

   Following his father’s return from the war, George’s family moved to Storm Lake’s south shore. It was the best place for George to grow up, where he had free rein to roam an undeveloped shorefront, acres of woods, and the area locally known as “Bare Ass Beach.”

   Following kindergarten in Storm Lake, George started grade school at Hayes Consolidated in Hayes Township. Much to his dismay, George was transferred by his parents to Storm Lake Junior High School following the conclusion of grade school. Efforts of self-expulsion with the hope of returning to Hayes resulted in a conference between the principal and George’s father, where it was made known that his behavior was not to be repeated. George eventually sent his thanks to Mr. O. D. Trudo, someone who made Jr. High a bearable experience.

   George began high school in 1953 and graduated in 1957. During those years of rock-n-roll, cool cars, and no wars, he participated in debate, football, three class plays, and was Lt Gov. of HiY Youth and Government.

   In the Fall of 1957, George enrolled at Iowa State University and graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business. Throughout his time at Iowa State, George served as Chapter President and Rush Chairman of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and served on the Homecoming Central Committee. Many of George’s lifetime friends and relationships were made at Iowa State University, the most important being the result of an unplanned blind date with Marcia Pike.

   After his time at Iowa State University, George spent 6 months of active-duty service with the United States Army Reserves and was released in December 1962. On January 1, 1963, George started working at The Citizens First National Bank.

   Remember the mention of an important blind date? Everything went well and George married Marcia Pike in Elmhurst, Illinois in June of 1963. George & Marcia were fortunate enough to have had three children: Harry, Mark, and Corey Sue (1971-1979). The family then grew to Lynn (spouse to Harry) with grandchildren Ian, Adam, and Olivia from Iowa, and Victoria (spouse to Mark) with grandchildren Gabby, Anna Kate, Claire, and Nicholas from Georgia.

   George’s favorite activities included spending time with his wife Marcia, his children, and his grandchildren. He was also an avid reader, finishing 1 to 2 books a week. He enjoyed carpentry, sailing, drawing, cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones, and the lake.

   The achievements George was most proud of include the expanding of the forest/wildlife reserve on the south side of the lake, the founding and initial funding in cooperation with Gary Sliefert of the Storm Lake School District Foundation, a format which was later used in the founding of the Buena Vista County Hospital Foundation, and membership on the founding board of the Lake Preservation Association, the inspired idea of Dr. T. E. Shea.

   George was also proud to have served in other ways being appointed a Sir John Marks Templeton Life Trustee of Buena Vista University, serving on the Iowa State University’s Extension Citizens Advisory, ISU School of Economics advisory group, the Ivy College of Business Deans’ Advisory Council, serving as emeritus governor of the Iowa State University Foundation, and on the American Bankers Association Community Banking and Real Estate Lending executive committee.

   He is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Marcia Schaller of Storm Lake, IA; sons Harry (Lynn) Schaller of Storm Lake, IA, and Mark (Victoria) Schaller of Peachtree Corners, GA; sister Carolyn (John) Hopley of Greenwich, CT; grandchildren: Gabi, Ian, Adam, Anna Kate, Olivia, Claire and Nick.