Michael Edward Gingerich, 64, of Riverside, passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Riverside. Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the Snyder and Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Services of Riverside. Following the visitation, a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established at the funeral home in memory of Mike. Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.
Michael Edward Gingerich was born on September 19, 1957, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Wayne “Beaner” and Marjorie Gingerich. Mike grew up outside of Parnell, Iowa on the family farm and graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1976. Mike had been a Riverside, Iowa resident for most of his adult life.
Mike was known as “Puzzle Mike”. He was an artist who designed and handmade multiple wooden games and puzzles and wire puzzles. He spent his life traveling the United States to craft festivals to sell his products. He worked & played hard as a wooden and brain bender toy maker. He loved interacting with people, especially teachers, as they admired his many creative builds at woodworking craft fairs. His favorite being the one Gatlinburg, TN.
In his later years, he became interested in tiny homes. He built his own tiny travel camper he dubbed “Wanderlust”. He was well known in the Midwest tiny living communities as a guru for organization and problem solving. He was generous and a straight-shooter. He valued deep interpersonal friendships and loved to teach people all kinds of tips/tricks and trouble-shooting for the road life. He always referred to his crafter friends and tiny house friends as his chosen “tribe” and loved them like family.
Mike is survived by his sister, Susan (Terry) Jones. Williamsburg, Iowa and brother, Mark (Lyn) Gingerich. Harrison Tennessee; sister-in-law, Angie (Rodney) Steckly, Kalona, Iowa and brother-in-law, Jerry Crouch, New London, Iowa; nieces and nephews, Paige (Brad) Grandgeorge and children Deanna and Logan, Clarion, Iowa. Nate Jones, Williamsburg, Iowa. Molly and Olivia Gingerich, Harrison, Tennessee and Noah Gingerich, Evansville, Indiana. Benjamin Gingerich, Coralville, Iowa. Joe Crouch, New London, Iowa. Joshua Crouch, Burlington, Iowa.
Mike was preceded in death his parents, brother, Scott Gingerich and sister, Debra Crouch.
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