Irene Gabel, 94, of Akron, Iowa, went home to heaven with her Lord on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Hawarden Regional Healthcare in Hawarden, Iowa.

Celebration of Life will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Akron. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Akron. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home. There will be a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

In lieu of flowers and gifts, Irene requested that memorials be sent to the Akron Care Center and Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Irene M. Gabel was born on November 30, 1930, in Union County, South Dakota, the daughter of Herman A. and Jennie (Hewitt) Ahrens. Irene attended country schools (Sayles, South Spink, and Pleasant Hill) in Union County, South Dakota. She finished her education with a GED in 1973.

She was united in marriage to Virgil Gabel on August 8, 1951, in Laverne, Minnesota. The couple moved to Aurelia, Iowa, where they made their home. Irene did domestic housework and Virgil worked as a farm hand for farmers in the area. Later, they moved to the Akron area where Irene resumed her domestic housekeeping for many families in this area. She also worked at the Otis Radio Factory in Hawarden for 20 years. She later joined her husband in their trucking business. Tiny as she was, Irene drove a gravel truck for 14 years! The couple retired from their business in 1988. Virgil passed away on October 23, 1997. Irene enjoyed living her last years in the Akron Care Center, having lived there since 2009. Irene reciprocated the love she received from the staff and utilized her sense of humor as a cheerleader for any of the residents who might be feeling 'down and out.'

Irene and Virgil were active members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Akron. She taught Sunday school for almost 20 years, assisted with VBS, directed Christmas programs, served on the church council, and belonged to the W.E.L.C.A. group. She loved spending time with family and friends. Together, they raised two children. They enjoyed gardening, preserving fruits and vegetables, collecting glassware, attending and organizing card parties, dancing, and celebrating holidays and other special events with family and friends.

Irene loved the Lord with all her heart and knew that in His time Jesus would call her home to live forever in Glory! She said that was an invitation she would happily accept. Irene was a warm, dedicated wife, amazing mother, fun-loving grandmother and great-grandmother, giving neighbor, and friend to all who knew her. She will be missed!

Survivors include 2 children: Patty (Chuck) Kopp of Kennewick, WA, and Richard (Sue) Gabel of Akron, IA; 3 grandchildren: Jennifer (Rob) Krug, Carin (Eric) Jones, and Krystal Gabel; 5 great grandchildren: Ethan and Abby Krug, Alicia and Jadyn Jones, and Mackenzie Engler; 2 sisters: Rosie Hoffman of Akron, IA, and Mary (Roy) Archer of North Carolina; sisters-in law; and many nieces and nephews.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Virgil; a grandson, Brian Gabel; an infant son, Michael; a brother, Harry Ahrens; a sister, Ruby Nordgren; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.