Gary Tuel

Gary Tuel, age 46, of Schaller, Iowa passed away Saturday, August 23, 2003, at the Good Samaritan Home in Holstein, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, August 26, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Schaller, with Father Patrick O’Kane and Father Bruce Lawler concelebrating. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery at Schaller.

Visitation will be after 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 25, 2003 at the Fratzke and Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. The Fratzke and Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller is in charge of the arrangements.

Gary Dean Tuel was born September 12, 1956 at the Buena Vista Hospital in Storm Lake, Iowa to Leonard Tuel and Lucile (Feldhacker) Tuel. He was baptized on September 30, 1956 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake and later confirmed on May 10, 1966 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Schaller, where he remained a member until his death. Gary grew up in the Schaller community, attending elementary through high school at the Schaller Community School, graduating in 1974. He received his Associate in Arts degree from Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa in 1977.

Gary worked summers from 1973-1976 as cashier at the Schaller Swimming Pool and he tended bar at Abe’s Place two nights a week from 1977 – 1978. He worked at the American Popcorn Company from 1979 – 1984. He was a member of the Schaller Jaycees.

Gary loved his family and many friends and cherished the time he spent with them. He enjoyed playing cards and going to family reunions. He had a special appetite for Chinese food and liked to travel.

Gary had special relationship with his little friends at Mary’s Beth’s Day Care in Schaller, where he spent many hours helping out with the children over the past 18 years. He genuinely cared for the children and they, in return, for him.

Gary is survived by his mother Lucille, his father Leonard of Schaller, two brothers Don and wife Dolores Tuel and Brad Tuel, all of Schaller and a sister Karen Monroe and fiancé, Tim Juarez of Schaller; nieces and nephews Angelic Spahr, Jackie Monroe, Javier Tuel, Brandon Monroe, Junior and Brenda Tuel; great-nieces and nephews Adam Spahr, Cheyenne Spahr and Lyla Tuel; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Gary Tuel was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Glenn and Veda Tuel, and by his maternal grandparents, Barney and Helen Feldhacker.