Colleen Gebel

Colleen (Welch) Gebel, 83, of Charles City died Thursday, June 29, 2017 at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City. A Funeral Mass was held Monday, July 3 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City with Father Gary Mayer celebrating the Mass. Burial followed at Calvary Cemetery in Charles City.

Mary Colleen Welch was born May 8, 1934 in Waukon, the daughter of Ray and Rita (Ryan) Welch. She graduated in 1952 from St. Patrick’s High School in Waukon. Following high school, she began her career with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company in Waukon and in the years following she worked for the telephone company in Independence, Oelwein and Charles City.

April 18, 1964, Colleen was united in marriage to James Gebel at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City. Jim and Colleen made their life in Charles City, where they raised their three children, Suzanne, Patrick and Elizabeth.

Colleen continued her career with the telephone company and retired as the Chief Operator to be home with her children. In 1985 she went to work at Comprehensive Systems to answer their phones on a temporary basis and retired ten years later as the Safety Director.

Colleen was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and served on the school board and parish council. She was a member of St. Theresa’s Circle and the Funeral Choir at Immaculate Conception Church. She also was a member of the Telephone
Pioneers of America.

Colleen and Jim wintered in Clermont, FL for many years in their retirement. Colleen loved to shop, play bingo, travel on bus trips, and to share meals with her family. Colleen always looked forward to those times she could share her life with all of her family, but her five grandchildren had a special place in her heart. Colleen loved watching her grandchildren’s sporting events and other activities.

Living family members include 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; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Tom and Marian Gebel of New Hampton, Marcy Gebel of Mason City, Dan and Dorothy Gebel of Clear Lake, and Jerry and Barb O’Donnell of Cresco; and 15 nieces and nephews and their children.

Since Colleen was an only child, her first cousins were very special to her and memories of time spent with them held a special place in her heart.

Colleen was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Joseph Gebel; a brotherin-law, Don Gebel; many cousins; and numerous aunts and uncles, but none more special than Anna and Bill Deeny.

Memorials may be made payable to Immaculate Conception Church, 106 Chapel Lane, Charles City, IA 50616 and will be directed to Youth Ministry Activities for IC Charles City and Sacred Heart Osage. Hauser Funeral Home, Charles City assisted the family with local arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hauserfh.com.