Jerry and Jeanette Gebel Family Endowment for John Paul II School

+Jarold James Gebel was born July 30, 1937, to Edward and Marguerite (Conzemius) Gebel at Wagner, SD. He lived in the Mitchell area most of his life where he attended Notre Dame Catholic School and graduated from Plano High School. On May 8, 1957, he married Jeanette Hohn at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell. He owned and operated a Phillips 66 Station in Mitchell for many years. He was employed at Scott’s Supply, farmed and also owned and operated Jerry’s Paint and Repair Auto Body for many years where he also did classic car restoration. He had been a private pilot since 1975.

He was a man who loved family, friends, working and playing hard. He lived life to the fullest and enjoyed the freedom of living in the country. He enjoyed flying his airplane, boating, water skiing, jet skiing, dancing, snowmobiling, cycle riding, camping, and parasailing, all with family, friends, children and grandchildren. He loved the 50's cars and enjoyed restoring them for himself and others. His favorite was the 57 Chevy, the year he and Jeanette were married.

He was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church where he served as an usher for many years, the Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge and was a member of the SD National Guard 665 Ordinance for nine years.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanette; four children: Larry Gebel and wife, Kathy of Mitchell, Roger Gebel and wife, Teresa of Mitchell, Cheryl Cowan and husband, Jeff of Eden Prairie, MN, Shelly Schuetzle of Buffalo, MN; ten grandchildren, six great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Terri Gebel Shannon and husband, Todd of Mitchell; a brother, Kenneth Gebel and wife, Edna of Missouri Valley, IA; two sisters: Mary Mahoney and husband, Ralph of Fulton, Janice Welch and husband, Dennis of Mitchell and sister-in-law, Mildred Gebel of Mitchell.

He was preceded in death by his son, Dwayne, his brother, Eugene and his parents.