Gale R. Whited

Gale Russell Whited was born August 6, 1943, the son of Warren and Hilda Whited. He died Sunday, September 11, 2016 at his home in Vail at the age of seventy-three.
He was born in Denison, Iowa and received his education in the Denison Community Schools, graduating from high school with the class of 1961. He was Baptized in Christ as an adult and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, January 24, 1982. After completing his education, he began working at Farmland Foods, beginning his career of twenty-nine years with the company. He subsequently began his twenty-three year career driving trucks, first with his son Mike as they drove with Mau Trucking before joining Roca Trucking and most recently at Hewitt Trucking from Ida Grove, Iowa, remaining there until his illness. He was looking forward to attending the annual Hewitt Trucking Rodeo being held this next weekend, an event he had participated in during his employment with Hewitt.
Gale was united in marriage to Joleen Walde, June 1, 1964 at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison with Rev. Natski officiating the double ring ceremony. The couple settled in the Crawford County area and were blessed with the birth of four children.
As a younger man, Gale enjoyed hunting and fishing and more recently camping was a greater interest. He had a fondness for cars, especially his 1963 Chevrolet Corvair. In his leisure time, he enjoyed working with wood, playing his keyboard, telling jokes and entertaining his family by wearing funny hats. He danced polkas and waltzes, watched westerns of all periods, including black and white films. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and devoted his life to his family and their happiness.
He is preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, Delores and her husband, Bob, Irene and her twin sister, Arlene, and Lana. Survivors include his wife, Joleen; one son, Mike and his wife, Rhonda; three daughters, Jane and her husband, Ross; Ronda and her husband, Jim; Amy and her husband, Travis; thirteen grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; siblings: Donna and her husband, Larry ; Ruby and her husband, Mike; Jerry, and twin sister, Judy and her husband, Bill; two brothers-in-law, Fred and Red; nieces, nephews other relatives and many friends.