Frances Gehl

Frances (Ruback) Gehl, 92, of Omaha, NE, passed away quietly on May 11.
Preceded in death by her husband Mathias; daughter Kathy (Gehl) Day; and brothers Leonard and Paul. Survived by her brother Alan; sons Mike (Sharon), Jerry (Lois), and Tom (Loreen); 9 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren; as well as close cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Frances was born in Omaha, NE, to Richard and Alta Ruback and called Denison, IA, home for most of her childhood. She graduated from Denison High School in 1941 and attended business school in Chicago. After graduation, she worked at the Pentagon during the early years of World War II before enlisting in the Women’s Army Corps. She proudly served her country for 18 months before being honorably discharged at the end of the war.
She and her husband, Mathias Gehl (married August 25, 1945), settled in Dow City, IA, to raise their family of 4 children and were pillars of the community. She worked alongside Matt at Gehl’s Grocery, was a charter member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dow City, received recognition for outstanding community service and leadership, and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Frances will be remembered as an amazing woman: loving wife, doting mother, community volunteer, cheerful and fun grandmother and great-grandmother, and loyal friend to many. She was a superb cake decorator and avid card player who also loved knitting, crosswords, table puzzles, reading, traveling, and the occasional video game.
Memorials may be made to the Denison Aquatic Center (denisonia.com/AquaticCenter) or the American Legion Auxiliary (alaforveterans.org).