Gary "Bucket" Mann 66, of Ames, died Friday, July 12, 2024, at his home after a very short battle with colon cancer. He was born December 1, 1957, in Nevada, Iowa at Story County Hospital.

Gary spent his childhood in Roland, Iowa and graduated from Roland-Story in 1976. In 1977 he married Carol Ogden, and three children were born to this union. The first was Dean, then his twin girls Kelly and Cathy. They later divorced.

To know Bucket was to know his passion for being a Ready-Mix driver which he had done for the past 42 years. He started at Iowa State Ready Mix where he got his nickname, Bucket. He most recently drove for Mannatt's where he worked for the past 10 years.

Bucket had an amazing network of friends and family. Some of the activities he enjoyed were bowling, hunting, and most importantly riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Gary is survived by his children Dean (Emilie) Mann of Lennox, SD, Kelly (Gustavo) Valerio of Nevada and Cathy (Andrew) Naumann of Nevada; his fiancé Di Olesen; her children and grandchildren; his brothers Ed (Jodi) Mann of Jewell and Kevin (Freda) Mann of Bel Air, MD; his sister Phyllis (Vicki) Mann; 7 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Gordon and Alta Mann; his brother Rodney Mann; and his granddaughter Vivian (in infancy).

Memorial contributions in Bucket's memory may be made to the family for the use to be determined at a later date.

A visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home (1418 Fawcett Pkwy) in Nevada. His funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, 2024, also at the funeral home. Interment will be at Murphy Cemetery in rural Nevada.

Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada is handling arrangements. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.