Joseph (Joe) John Gebel

Joseph (Joe) John Gebel, age 85, of Lawler, died Monday, August 10, 2026, at MercyOne Medical Center in New Hampton, surrounded by loved ones.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 14, 2026 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler with Rev. Tyler Raymond celebrating the Mass.  Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Friends may greet the family from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler.  Visitation continues an hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.

Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton have been entrusted with Joe’s arrangements.

Joe was born on February 22, 1941, at his family home near North Washington, Iowa, the youngest son of Frank and Helen (Schwickerath) Gebel. He preferred, and was always known simply as “Joe” to his family and friends.

Joe’s family lived near North Washington until he was about three years old, when they moved to Lawler, Iowa. He attended Mt. Carmel Catholic School and enjoyed  math;  a subject that came naturally to him.

On August 22, 1964, Joe was united in marriage to Nancy Webb. The couple was blessed with five children and later divorced.Joe farmed for several years before beginning his career with Lynch Livestock. He started with the company in May of 1988 and remained there until his retirement in October of 2006. Joe took pride in his work and the many friendships he made throughout his years at Lynch.

In 1989, Joe met Diana McFarland at a party, and what started as a chance meeting soon blossomed into a lasting love. The couple dated for several years before being united in marriage on October 28, 1995, at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton. Together, Joe and Diana built a life filled with love, laughter, travel and countless memories.

Joe had many interests outside of work, but gardening was one of his greatest passions. He took tremendous pride in his garden, which was considered one of the tidiest, cleanest and most pristine gardens around. God help the stray weed or leaver of footprints  between the rows! Joe loved growing his own food and especially enjoyed canning what he harvested. He was always happy to share his canned goods with family and friends, and many people were fortunate to leave Joe’s house with something from his garden.

After his retirement, Joe finally slowed down and realized he enjoyed relaxing in front of the television, especially when an old western was on. He could also often be found watching The Price Is Right or Let’s Make a Deal as part of his morning routine.  He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and never needed much to keep himself entertained or content.

Joe and Diana shared many wonderful adventures throughout their years together. They enjoyed traveling together and took numerous cruises, with Joe’s favorite being their Alaskan adventure. They loved attending dances and concerts and making memories wherever they went. Boating was another favorite pastime they discovered together. Many summer days were spent on the Mississippi River or at Clear Lake, enjoying the water and time together. The proud German was also a reluctant participant in numerous area parades to help spread the word about Lawler Irish Fest. He much preferred watching from the sidelines over being the center of attention, but showed his devotion to Diana by being at her side when she needed him. 

Joe was a social guy who genuinely enjoyed people. Whether sitting down for a game of Euchre or 500, having a beer with friends, or simply visiting with countless friends and family, Joe was always ready to strike up a conversation. He was personable, welcoming, and easy to like. Joe had a way of making people feel comfortable, and he rarely met a stranger. His friendly nature and love of visiting with others earned him many friends throughout his life.

Above all, Joe will be remembered for his love of family, his devotion to Diana, his generosity, his good sense of humor and his ability to enjoy the people and simple pleasures that made life special. He was an example of doing small things with great love; sharing the abundance of his garden with others, spending time in conversation, and helping a friend. His garden, his canned goods, his stories, his laughter, and his friendly presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Joe is survived by his wife Diana of Lawler; three sons, Lee Gebel of Lawler, Raymond (James) Thomas of Dubuque, Sid (Michelle) Gebel of Lawler; two daughters, Amy Gebel of California, Nicole (Matt) Baugh of Johnston, IA; ten grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Laverne “Tuffy” Blue of Waucoma; two sisters-in-law, Darlene Gebel of New Hampton, Debra (Denton) Uhlenhopp of Aplington, IA; and many nieces, nephews,  and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Marilyn (Francis Burns, James Leibold) Leibold, LeRoy (Mary Agnes) Gebel, Bob (Rita) Gebel, Lucille (Francis) Reicks, Leona (Luke) Kriener, Francis Gebel, Doris (Raymond “Bud”) Balik, Jean Hageman, and Loretta (Pete) Kleve.