NEW HAMPTON — Darlene Dorothy Gebel, 88, of New Hampton and formerly of Lawler, died peacefully Saturday, August 22, 2026, at her home surrounded by her children.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 28, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler, with Rev. Tyler Raymond celebrating the Mass.
Interment will follow at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Lawler.
Friends may greet the family from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 27, at the church, where a Rosary will be held at 3:15 p.m. Visitation will continue for one hour before the Mass on Friday.
Darlene was born April 6, 1938, to Edward and Elizabeth Heley Busta at the family home near Fort Atkinson.
She grew up attending a one-room schoolhouse near the family farm through eighth grade.
On April 8, 1958, Darlene married Francis Gebel at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Little Turkey. The couple farmed west of Lawler for many years before moving to New Hampton in 2011.
Darlene was known throughout her life as a hard worker.
As a teenager, she helped with farm work and assisted with what were known as “baby cases.” Later, she worked at Sara Lee from the plant’s opening until its closing, from 1972 to 2000.
Afterward, she continued working by cleaning homes and cooking at the Waverly Horse Sales.
She was especially well known for her cooking and baking.
Family, friends, neighbors and even residents of local nursing homes benefited from the homemade treats she regularly shared. Her specialties included kolaches, rolicky, zelnicky, orange slice bars, cookies and many other baked goods.
Darlene also enjoyed bingo, casino trips, cards and polka music.
Above all, she enjoyed being around people and made friends easily. Her family and friends remember her for her kindness, friendliness and willingness to share with others.
Survivors include her children, Karen Kuhn of Decorah, Theresa Hudecek of Protivin and Paul Gebel of Denver, Iowa; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, with another expected in September; and several in-laws.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Gebel, in 2017; her parents; eight siblings; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law.
Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory is handling arrangements. To view Darlene Gebel’s full obituary, leave condolences or find additional service information, please click here.
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