LAWLER, IOWA – Joseph “Joe” John Gebel, 85, of Lawler, died Monday, August 10, 2026, at MercyOne Medical Center in New Hampton while surrounded by loved ones.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 14, 2026, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler, with the Rev. Tyler Raymond celebrating. Joe was laid to rest in the church cemetery. Visitation was held Thursday evening and continued for one hour before Friday’s Mass.
Joe was born February 22, 1941, at his family’s home near North Washington, the youngest son of Frank and Helen Schwickerath Gebel. His family moved to Lawler when he was about 3 years old, and he attended Mount Carmel Catholic School.
Joe married Nancy Webb on August 22, 1964. They had five children and later divorced.
He farmed for several years before joining Lynch Livestock in May 1988. Joe remained with the company until retiring in October 2006, forming many lasting friendships during his career.
Joe met Diana McFarland in 1989, beginning a relationship that grew into a lasting partnership. They married October 28, 1995, at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton and enjoyed more than three decades of companionship.
Gardening was among Joe’s greatest passions. He kept his garden orderly and carefully maintained, grew food for his family and canned much of what he harvested. Friends and relatives were often sent home with something Joe had grown or preserved.
Joe and Diana enjoyed traveling, including several cruises and a memorable trip to Alaska. They attended dances and concerts and spent summer days boating on the Mississippi River and Clear Lake.
Although proud of his German heritage, Joe also joined Diana in promoting Lawler Irish Fest, sometimes appearing in community parades despite preferring to watch from the sidelines.
Joe enjoyed card games, sharing a beer with friends and visiting with nearly everyone he encountered. In retirement, he also found time for old westerns and his morning television favorites, “The Price Is Right” and “Let’s Make a Deal.”
Survivors include his wife, Diana of Lawler; sons Lee Gebel of Lawler, Raymond Thomas and his husband, James, of Dubuque, and Sid Gebel and his wife, Michelle, of Lawler; daughters Amy Gebel of California and Nicole Baugh and her husband, Matt, of Johnston; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Laverne “Tuffy” Blue of Waucoma; sisters-in-law Darlene Gebel of New Hampton and Debra Uhlenhopp and her husband, Denton, of Aplington; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Marilyn Leibold, LeRoy Gebel, Bob Gebel, Lucille Reicks, Leona Kriener, Francis Gebel, Doris Balik, Jean Hageman and Loretta Kleve.
Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home and Crematory is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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