James J. Gebel

James J. “Jim” Gebel, 75, of Charles City, died Thursday, August 6, 2009, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City under the care of Iowa Hospice.

A funeral Mass for Jim Gebel will be held 11 a.m. Monday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Reverend Carl Ries and Monsignor Stanley Hayek will concelebrate the Mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery at Charles City. There will be a flag presentation by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit.

Friends may call at the Hauser Funeral Home in Charles City from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday where the Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. and the Vigil Scriptural Wake Service will be held a 6 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church an hour prior to the Mass.

James Joseph Gebel was born August 21, 1933, at Alta Vista, the son of Louis and Marie (Kolbet) Gebel. He graduated in 1951 from Saint William High School in Alta Vista and attended Iowa State University. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Euchre School. Jim proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. On April 18, 1964, he was united in marriage to Colleen Welch at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. During his career Jim worked for the Howard County Creamery, Hudson Dairy, White Farm Equipment Company and retired from Sara Lee. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church where he attended daily Mass regularly and the Knights of Columbus. He also belonged to the Elks Lodge, Catholic Order of Foresters, American Legion, Cedar Ridge Golf Course and the Stateline Cyclone Club. His interests included golfing, fishing, boating at Lansing, going on bus trips, wintering in Florida, and doing yard work - paying special attention to his roses. Jim always looked forward to those times he could share his life with all of his family but the grandchildren had a special place in his heart.

Living family members include his wife, Colleen Gebel of Charles City; three children, Suzanne Gebel of Urbandale; Patrick (Shira) Gebel of Charles City and Beth (Scott) Hoppel of Osage; five grandchildren, Brandt, Elliott and Sadie Gebel, and Nicholas and Katie Hoppel; three brothers, Tom (Marian) Gebel of New Hampton, Don (Marcy) Gebel of Mason City and Dan (Dorothy) Gebel of Clear Lake; a sister, Barb (Jerry) O’Donnell of Cresco; and 15 nieces and nephews and their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a son, Joseph Gebel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Immaculate Conception School Development Fund, 106 Chapel Lane, Charles City, IA 50616.

The Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, www.hauserfh.com, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.