Francis L. Gebel

Francis L. Gebel, age 81, of New Hampton, IA, formerly of Lawler, IA passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 24, 2017 at his home with his family by his side. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Chuch in Lawler, IA with Father Kyle Digmann celebrating the mass. Burial will be held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00-7:00 PM on Monday, August 28, 2017 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. There will be a 2:45 PM Rosary and a 7:00 PM Scriptural Wake Service. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the funeral mass on Tuesday. Online condolences may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com. Memorials may be directed to the family. Francis “Frankie” Leo Gebel was born November 12, 1935 on a farm near North Washington, IA to Frank and Helen (Schwickerath) Gebel. He attended school at Lawler until the tenth grade. At this time, he stayed home to help farm when his brother entered the military. Frankie married Darlene Busta on April 8, 1958 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Little Turkey, IA. Together they farmed for 54 years until they retired and moved to New Hampton, IA in 2012. Frankie was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler, IA. He enjoyed farming, working with horses, playing cards, and attending his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s events. Those left to cherish Frankie’s memories are his wife of 59 years, Darlene Gebel of New Hampton; his three children, Karen (Albert) Kuhn, Cresco, IA, Theresa (Greg) Hudecek, Protivin, IA and Paul (Karen) Gebel, Denver, IA; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; his sisters, Lucille (Francis) Reicks, Leona Kriener and Jean Hageman; his brother, Joe (Diana) Gebel; sister-in-law, Mary Agnes Gebel; brother-in-law, James Leibold; Honorary Family, LaVerne (Tuffy) Blue, Eddie (Geraldine) Busta, Angie Busta, Arnie (Sandy) Busta, Bernie (Karen) Busta, Betty Busta, Jim (Mary Lou) Busta and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, LeRoy and Robert (Rita) Gebel; three sisters, Marilyn (Francis) Burns Leibold, Loretta (Paul) Kleve, Doris (Raymond) Balik. He was also preceded in death by his in-laws, Lorraine (Ed) Panos, Gladys (Richard) Balik, Luke Kriener, Leon Hageman, Walter Busta and by nieces and nephews, Bonnie Panos, Art Gebel, Larry Gebel, Cindy Reicks Jerdee, Patricia Burns and Linda Balik.