Rita Gebel

October 9, 1932 ~ June 29, 2016
Rita M. Gebel age 83 of Lawler, IA died Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at Hillcrest Home in Sumner, IA.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2016, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler with Rev. Jim Brockman celebrating the Mass. Lector for the service will be Sally Yungtum. Leah Gebel, Megan Anderson and Heather Novak will present the offertory gifts. The Lau Family will join the congregation in song.
Interment will be in the church cemetery with Randy Novak, Adam Gebel, Cory Gebel, Travis Gebel, Matt Gebel and Sid Gebel as pallbearers.
Friends may greet the family 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 1, 2016, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.
Funeral arrangements are with Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in Lawler.
Rita Mary Gebel was born October 9, 1932, in Festina, IA, the daughter of John and Auguste (Hartman) Gossling. She attended St. Mary’s School in Festina and her senior year of high school in Calmar. Rita worked as a chair assistant for a dentist in Ossian, IA, and then did housework for Dr. and Mrs. Murtaugh in New Hampton.
On October 20, 1953, Rita married Robert Francis Gebel at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina. To this union nine children were born. The couple farmed north of Lawler from 1953 – 1988. Rita was a great cook and was famous for her angel food cakes and the bread and buns she baked. She also loved teaching her children and grandchildren how to bake. Rita used to say the guys must have smelled her baking from the road because they would stop in to sample her baked items. No matter what hardships she faced, she always had a positive, upbeat attitude. She always made everyone else feel loved and did whatever she could to make things better for them.
Survivors include five sons, John Gebel of New Hampton, Mike (Judy Paulus) Gebel of Lawler, Bill (Diane) Gebel of Lawler, Dan (Jodie Anderson) Gebel of Lawler, Martin Gebel of Lawler; three daughters, Helen (Scott) Olson of Cresco, LaVonne (Doug) Kahler of Coralville, Linda Gebel of Fredericksburg; 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Martin (Margaret) Gossling of Ft. Atkinson, Norbert (Darlene) Gossling of Waucoma, Alphonse (Bev) Gossling of Ossian; two sisters, Marie Tieskotter of Ossian, Sr. Maryan Gossling F.S.P.A. of LaCrosse, WI; many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert in 2010, a son, Art Gebel in 1986; one sister, Theresa Myers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. I always remember Aunt Rita with that beautiful smile! Deb and Bob Line
Sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. I pray that her memories stay fresh in your minds now and in the future. Her family are in our thoughts and prayers. David and Jeanne Roder
Patrick & Carol Driscoll lit a candle in memory of Rita M. Gebel
So sorry to hear about Rita’s passing! I will always remember her for her delicious homemade dinner rolls and most importantly for having the gift (and it is a gift!) for conversation! She always made everyone feel welcomed and comfortable. Till this day, Patrick claims that the best steak dinner he ever had was at Bob & Rita’s…and I have to agree! It puts a smile on my face every time I think of her and the rest of the Gebel family. And as Bob Hope use to say….’thanks for the memories’!!! With Deepest Sympathy! Patrick & Carol (Fermoyle) Driscoll
My deepest sympathy to Rita’s family. She will be missed! Her infectious smile, her positive attitude and I’ll always remember those homemade angel food cakes. Loved being a member of Putter Pals and getting to know Rita. God bless you Rita and I’m sure you’re smiling at us from above!
Dianne, Deb, Andrea, Lane, Ellen and Joni purchased the Peaceful White Lilies Basket for the family of Rita M. Gebel.
Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum was purchased for the family of Rita M. Gebel.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Beth Diers
To the Gebel Family We were all truely Blessed to have had this Amazing woman in our lives. She was one of the Sweetest ladies I’ve known. Heaven gain an Amazing Angel and I know your Dad and Art were right there to welcome her Home. Forever in our Hearts. Debbie and Jeff Larson
My Prayers are with all of you. Rita was a wonderful lady, always pleasant and kind. I enjoyed visiting Rita and Bob on the farm and I never left without a treat and a smile on my face. May they both rest in peace as they are now together in Heaven.
My memories of working on the farm in Lawler for Bob and Rita when I was in my early teens are the source of many positive aspects of my character which served me well throughout my life. I will always cherish those memories. My sincere condolences to all of her family. God bless and keep you. Richard Hartman
My sympathies to Rita’s family. So sorry to hear of her passing. She is now with Bob & John & Gustie , her Mom & Dad looking down on all of us and helping in her special way.
Our sympathies to all of you. Your mom / grandma was a very special lady. She was always friendly and welcomed all of us into her home, anytime. After all, us girls were the other family. Your mom even got up during the night many times to visit with us after we’d come home and would always fix us something to eat. I can still taste those yummy egg sandwiches. Her angel food cakes and dinner rolls were the BEST!! We just talked about that last Friday when we were together. I have many fond memories of times with your family and will cherish the many conversations with your mom, her smile, and laughter. She had a lot of patience and handled things with such a calm stride…with the clan she raised, one definitely has to give her credit for those traits. lol RIP Rita. Bob is embracing you now with a smile on his face.
It saids share a memory of Rita, how do you pick just one? She is one of the sweetest ladies I know. I enjoyed every summer I spent with them. Enjoyed watching her saying her hellos at weddings- family get togethers, stores. She took time to chat with everyone, catching up on the latest news then carrying on with her day. Heaven is so lucky to have her. Rest in peace Mrs. Gebel, we will think of you often:heart:
Thougjts and prayers goes out to the family .