Shan Alan Gaar

Shan Alan Gaar, 72, a resident of Cape Coral, FL for the past 22 years, formerly of Urbandale, IA, passed away Tuesday, September 6, 2022 in Cape Coral. He was born August 3, 1950 in Des Moines, IA to Keith and Peg Gaar, now deceased.

Shan was working by 14 or 16 at something. He Graduated Valley High School in West Des Moines in 1968.  He attended IA State College for an engineering degree but left for work in the Construction Industry. Underground Utility Estimator seemed to be his passion. He worked for a number of Construction Companies before he started his own company Gaar Construction and later Excavators, Inc.  

Fishing was also a passion and Lake Rathbun in Iowa was a favorite. Florida winter vacations played a big part in his life before moving here permanently. Having worked at several Construction companies in Florida he found his niche at OAK, the last company he worked for as Estimator and Project Manager. Shan’s retirement party was March 26, 2019.

He loved his kids whether they believed it or not. He was a great soccer dad and “tried” to like baseball. Shan was trying to be supportive in whatever the kids were involved in, but he worked a lot to make a comfortable life for all of us. Shan was very proud of his whole family, everyone survived and are all grown up. Grandchildren brought the biggest smile on his face the first time he saw each and every one. He also loved his brother Dale very much and counted on him for many “lawyer” and other things.

He is survived by his loving wife together for almost 43 years, Aleda Gaar of Cape Coral; children, Brant Gaar of Northern CA, Anika Gaar (Mike Anderson) of Indianola, IA, Lane Gaar of PA, and London Gaar of Des Moines, IA; brother, Dale Gaar (Rayma) of CO; nephews, Riley and Conner; as well as grandchildren, Elizabeth, Cade, Noah, Aria, and Aidan.

Shan's wishes were to be cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Mullins Memorial, 3654 Palm Beach Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33916 with Pastor Tom officiating. The family is asking anyone attending to wear casual Florida attire. They are also asking that there be no suits and/or ties worn at this time.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Shan Alan Gaar are suggested to EveryStep Hospice of Central Iowa Bright Kavanagh House, 3000 Easton Blvd #3, Des Moines, IA 50317.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with his final care.