Gladys Elaine Kestel

Gladys Elaine Kestel, age 90, of Storm Lake, Iowa died December 31, 2018 at her home in rural Storm Lake. Funeral mass will take place Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Schaller, Iowa. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will take place Friday, January 4, 2019 from 5-7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Schaller with a rosary at 4:30 p.m. and a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. all at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Schaller is in charge of the arrangements. Gladys Elaine Grundmeier, the daughter of August and Marie (Ploeger) Grundmeier was born January 30, 1928. She was baptized March 4, 1928 at the Immanuel Reformed Church near Schaller. She attended grade school in rural Schaller and Schaller High School until the tenth grade. She then attended and graduated from Hayes High School in 1945. On February 11, 1947, Gladys married Donald Kestel at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Schaller. They lived a short time in Schaller, then moved to the Kestel farm southwest of Storm Lake in 1950. Gladys taught CCD classes at St. Joseph’s for nearly 20 years. She was an active member of the Rosary Society and Catholic Daughters of America as well as serving as a Eucharistic Minister. Gladys was employed as a cook at Faith, Hope and Charity home and also at St. Mary’s School in Storm Lake. She was a devout mother and grandmother who deeply loved and enjoyed her family. She also had an unwavering faith in God. She enjoyed knitting and was always known for her great cooking and baking skills especially her spaghetti, amazing chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon rolls. Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Donald Kestel, of 71 years. Also her dear children and spouses; Joan Englander of Storm Lake, Iowa; Ronald (Jeannie) Kestel of Waterloo, Iowa; Diane Patera of Ida Grove, Iowa; Paul (Gaylene) Kestel of Storm Lake, Iowa; Thomas (Renea) Kestel of Lake Crystal, Minnesota; Joseph Kestel of Denver, Colorado; Karen (Mike) English of Omaha, Nebraska; 20 grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren; brother-in-law: Gene (Doreen) Kestel of Storm Lake, Iowa; extended family and friends. Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Jill Kestel; brothers: Clarence (infant); Ervin (Mildred) Grundmeier; Harold Grundmeier; Arthur (Arlene) Grundmeier; and Melvin (Agnes) Grundmeier; sister: Viola (Curt) Dills; sister-in-law: Dolores (Kestel) and John Gaffney; and sons-in-law, Dr. Daniel Patera and Robert Englander.

Gladys Elaine Kestel

January 30, 1928 - December 31, 2018