Helen Mary Gogel, 96, of Springville, passed from this life on Sunday, July 16, 2017 at Living Center West, Cedar Rapids. A Rosary will begin at 4:40 p.m. followed by a Parish Vigil Service at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion. Following the Vigil Service, the family will greet friends until 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 20, 2017, at St. Isidore Catholic Church, Springville, conducted by Reverend John R. Flaherty. The family will also greet friends from 9 a.m. until mass time at the church on Thursday. Burial will follow at Springville Cemetery, Springville.
Helen was born on September 7, 1920, in Luxemberg, Iowa, one of 15 children to John B. and Theresa (Hahn) Greiner. She was united in marriage to Raymond J. Gogel on October 15, 1940 at Trinity Catholic Church in Luxemberg. Helen was a farm wife, and homemaker raising ten children. She owned and operated Mary’s Café from 1964-1972 in Springville. Helen also was employed with Mercy Hospital in housekeeping for ten years, before retiring. She was a member of St. Isidore Catholic Church since 1961.
She is survived and lovingly remembered by her nine children, Ray (Betty) Gogel of Ventura, Linda (Dick) Taylor of Belfair, Washington, Mary (John) Kelchen of Robins, Jan (Jack Jr.) Miles of Des Moines, Sandy Cummings (John Krob) of Cedar Rapids, Sue Wooder of Morley, Patty (Richie) Price of Palo, Charlie Gogel of Cedar Rapids, Phyllis (Karen Phillips) Gogel of Cedar Rapids; son-in-law, Dave McDowell of Snohomish, Washington; 19 grandchildren, Lisa (Pete) Kenne, Jeff (BriAnna) Gogel, Connie (Jerry) Clark, Kevin (Julie) Taylor, Angie McDowell Laiser, Scott (Coleen) McDowell, Michelle (Bob) Blankenship, John (Kelli) Kelchen Jr., Don (Laurie) Kelchen, Laura (Darrin) Wood, Jack Miles III, Shannon Miles, Jason (Karin) Martin-Hiner, Melissa (Brian) Reynolds, Lane Wooder, Tara Gassmann, Matthew Price, Chaz Gogel, and Chase Gogel; step-grandson, Rick (Amie) Price Jr.; 28 great-grandchildren, Christopher (Nicole) Gogel, Kyle (Bailey) Gogel, Brylee Gogel, Jenna Gogel, Mitchell Kenne, Mollie (Derrick) Meister, Brandon Taylor, Robert Taylor, Crystal Taylor, Ryan Clark, Daniel Clark, Dylan McDowell, Morgan McDowell, Colton McDowell, Maddy McDowell, Samuel Blankenship, Grace Blankenship, Jaren (Desiree) Kelchen, Michael (Alyssa) Lafler, Tyler Kelchen, Ashley Kelchen, Ryan Kelchen, Brenna Wood, Aby Wood, Gabriel Hiner, Mikayla Hiner, Lauren Gassmann, and Mason Gassmann; two great-great grandsons, Ayden Lafler and Karter Lafler; and many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Helen was preceded into eternal life by her parents; husband, Raymond; daughter, Anita McDowell; and nine sisters and five brothers including, Serena Endres, Tillie Morgenroth, Jeanette Reed and Clem Greiner.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Kenneth Cearlock, and all the staff at Mercy Hospice and at Living Center West for all the special care and devotion they gave to Helen.
In lieu of flowers, the family will direct any memorial contributions to either Mercy Hospice or St. Isidore Catholic Church.