Lena Marie Gatrel's Obituary
Lena Marie Gatrel, age 102, formerly of rural Numa, Iowa, passed away, Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
She was born on January 19, 1914 in Seymour, Iowa, the daughter of Angelo and Nina (Furlin) Sebben. Lena was united in marriage to Thomas Henry Gatrel on April 6, 1933 and to this union of marriage, three children were born, Larry, Beverly, and Cheryl.
Tom and Lena owned and operated the Numa "DX" Station for ten years. At the same point in time, Lena was also employed with Hy-Vee in Centerville for seven years.
In her free time, Lena enjoyed gardening and tending to her flowers. She also looked forward to decorating the outside portion of her home during the holiday season. Lena enjoyed cooking large meals her family, especially polenta and totio. She had a passion for crocheting and cherished the opportunity to make an afghan for one of the grandchildren. Lena also enjoyed bird watching, especially cardinals. Moreover, she was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. Most importantly, Lena cherished her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Lena was a longtime member of the St. Marys Catholic Church in Centerville.
She is survived by her three children, Larry (Janice) Gatrel of Carroll, Iowa, Beverly (Max) VanBlaricome of Des Moines, Iowa, and Cheryl (Jerry) Jansen of Tyler, Texas; eleven grandchildren; twenty three great grandchildren; and fourteen great, great grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Lena was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Tom; four brothers, Beno Sebben, John Sebben, Jerry Sebben and Geno Sebben; and two sisters, Adilena Sebben and Jema Sebben Grewenow.
Graveside services will be held at 3:30 PM, Monday, August 8, 2016 at the Southlawn Cemetery in Seymour, Iowa with Father Mike Volkmer officiating. A visitation will take place on Monday, August 8, 2016 at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville, Iowa from 2-3 PM. Memorials have been established to St. Marys Catholic Church in Centerville and may be mailed to Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa, 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com.
Graveside Service
2016-08-08 15:30:00
Southlawn Cemetery
S. 4th & S. 6th
Seymour
IA
52590
What’s your fondest memory of Lena?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lena?
Share a story where Lena's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lena you’ll never forget.
How did Lena make you smile?