Viola "Vi" Gabel, 88, of Akron, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at the Akron Care Center in Akron.

Funeral Service will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church - Preston Township, rural Akron, Iowa.  Reverend Trish Underberg will officiate.  Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation with the family present will begin at noon on Tuesday at the church and will continue until service time. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron, Iowa.  Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Viola Marie Hasenbank was born on April 8, 1934 to Carl and Edna (Schierner) Hasenbank in Akron, Iowa. She attended school and graduated from Akron High School in 1953. Vi was united in marriage to Eldon 'Fritz' Gabel on November 22, 1953 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Akron. They farmed in Preston Township for many years and later moved into Akron in 1988. Vi provided childcare in Akron over the years; she was 'Grandma' to many kids! She loved hosting her family for holidays and spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed knitting, needlework, and crocheting. She was an artist; she loved to draw and paint. Vi and Fritz enjoyed traveling in their later years both locally and abroad. They were also long-time members of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church where Vi taught Sunday School for many years.

Vi is survived by her children: Ernie (Deb) Gabel of rural Akron; Michaelene (Duane) Behrens of Sioux City, IA; Carl (Lori) Gabel of Le Mars, IA; Sharon (Carl) Harry of Hawarden, IA; Carrie (Curt) Frerichs of Sioux Falls, SD; and Mary (John) Wilken of rural Akron; 18 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren with three on the way; two great great grandchildren with two on the way; siblings: Vern (Kathy) Hasenbank of Vermillion, SD, Caroline Gradert of Sioux Center, IA, and Marvin (Linda) Hasenbank of Sioux Falls, SD; sisters in law: Joyce Hasenbank of Westfield, IA and Irene Gabel of Akron; numerous others who knew her as 'Grandma'; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fritz; grandson, Aaron Minor; two great grandsons: Alan Minor and Emmit Harry; brother, Wilbur Hasenbank; brother in law, Robert Gradert; and a grandson in law, Travis Tentinger.