Noreita Gebel Obituary

Noreita J. GebelNoreita J. Gebel, 92, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on April 20, 2023. Rita was born on November 13, 1930 in Blue Grass, Iowa to Elfrieda and Erwin Zinger. She graduated from Davenport (Iowa) High School in 1949 and attended Iowa State Teacher's College and Marycrest College receiving her degree in English and education. On August 14, 1953, she married Walter F. Gebel of Davenport, Iowa. Rita and Walt knew each other during their post high school days, although their courtship started at Elfrieda's birthday party early in 1953. A few years after their marriage, they moved to Bettendorf, Iowa, where they raised their two sons, Greg and Matt. Rita taught first grade for 28 years at Mark Twain Elementary School in Bettendorf. She retired in 1987 and moved with Walt to Rancho Bernardo, California. Rita spent the next 32 years golfing, traveling and attending San Diego Padres games with Walt. She also volunteered with local charities and was very involved with LWML at her church, Community Lutheran in Escondido, California. Rita is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Walter, and by her two sons: Greg (Kathy) in Fox Point, Wisconsin and Matt (Gretchen) in York, Pennsylvania. She is also survived by six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Rita will be remembered for her love of children and especially the joy she had in spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren; for her volunteer work at her church and in her community; for her love of baseball and her two hole-in-ones golfing in the San Diego area. A private family ceremony will be held at Berea Lutheran Church in Milwaukee and a graveside service will be held at Davenport Memorial Park in Iowa.