Geraldine "Gerry" Louise Rabel

     Geraldine “Gerry” Louise Rabel, the daughter of John and Ann (Schnurr) Niichel was born November 17, 1926 in Granville, IA. Her childhood years were spent in the Granville, IA area, where she attended school and graduated from Alton High School in 1944.

     Gerry married Wilber Rabel on November 26, 1945 in Granville, IA. They farmed near Granville, before moving to Spencer, IA in 1966. She worked for K-Mart and JC Penney. She enjoyed traveling, spending time at their lake home on Lost Island, and spending time with her family. Gerry was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Spencer.

     Gerry passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at the Spencer Hospital, at the age of 96. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wilber; 2 granddaughters, Tara and Megan Rabel; a grandson, Jeremy Rabel; 2 brothers, Harold and Danny Niichel; a son-in-law, Jim Bendlin; and one great-granddaughter, Elliana Galbraith.

     Left to cherish her memory are her 8 children, Nancy (John) Cain of Winfield, KS, Mary (Dan) Nelsen of Spencer, IA, Tom (Virginia) Rabel of Spencer, IA, Terry (Sue) Rabel of Spencer, IA, Diane (Bernie) Pasco of Hudson, FL, Chuck (Carol) Rabel of Spencer, IA, Paula (Jim) Bendlin of Spencer, IA and Ken (Cindy) Rabel of Matthews, NC; 31 grandchildren; 65 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.