David Eugene Gell

Dave Gell was the first born son of Elmer and Ethelyn Gell, living in Red Oak, Iowa at the time. The family moved around several times and subsequently welcomed Dave’s younger brother, Richard, six years later. The family eventually settled in Sioux City, Iowa , where Dave finished junior high, high school, and graduated from Morningside College . During Dave’s college years, he was a member of the Phi Sigma Fraternity, loved to play table tennis, took a minor in art, and played a mean game of baseball. After college, Dave served his country in the armed forces. He saw the world and learned to appreciate the many personal freedoms born of a democratic society. While in the Army, Dave started a company newspaper, and kept himself busy reporting local news to his fellow soldiers, while at the same time, feeding his creative spirit. After his time in the Army, Dave moved back to the mid-west, and began working as a salesman. It wasn’t long before he met a beautiful young brunette who captured his heart. Marge Wiltse was a freshman at his alma matar, Morningside College, majoring in Elementary Education. They were married on May 24, 1958 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Marge made a career change at that time, leaving college behind to become the wife of a salesman and very soon thereafter, the mother of their first daughter, Kathryn Ann. Dave and Marge were broken hearted when God called Kathy home just before her first birthday. The years that followed brought more moves to more towns, and the birth of five more children. (Anne, Tom, John, Susan, and Jennifer) Dave became the Regional Sales Manager for Gate City Steel and the family stayed in Omaha , Nebraska for about 11 years. Later, in a move back to Iowa , Dave became the president of Howard Steel. This was his final post before retiring fully in 2002. If you were to ask Dave, he would describe any time frame in his life beginning with the car he was driving at the time. He loved cars of all kinds and in his final days, found great joy and distraction watching the SPEED channel to see car auctions and car restoration. If it had a motor and four wheels, Dave found it fascinating. His other interests included tennis, a lifelong passion for golf, active membership in his church, and the chaos of raising and educating five children. But, to really know who Dave Gell is, you need to visit his garage. Everything is labeled and stored properly. There are enough bits and parts of every imaginable thing to rebuild at least one house and perhaps one car. The garage is organized, tidy, and well stocked. It represents Dave’s desire to be prepared, be helpful, be self sufficient, and save a penny or two on repairs he could make himself. He always felt a great sense of duty to take care of all who depended on him and to provide that care without fanfare, but with great attention to detail. Dave Gell leaves a legacy of a good joke told well, the appreciation of a well balanced putter, joy in a glass of fine red wine, 54 years of love for Marge Gell, and sheer pride to be the father of five fabulous kids and the grandfather of ten beautiful grandchildren. David E. Gell, age 80, of Omaha, died 12/14/12. Preceded in death by parents Elmer & Ethelyn, and daughter Kathryn. Survived by wife Marjorie, children: Anne & Ian Severes of Omaha, Thomas & Karen Gell of Overland Park, KS, John & Lisa Gell of Omaha, Susan & David Horton of Dallas, TX, and Jennifer & Shane Roberts of Omaha, 10 grandchildren, brother Richard & Penny Gell of Charlotte, NC, and stepmother Anita B. Gell of Sioux City, IA. Funeral service 11 AM Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012 with visitation from 9-11 AM before the service at the funeral home in Elkhorn. Interment Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Elkhorn. Memorials to Faithful Shepherd Presbyterian Church or Morningside College.

David Eugene Gell

May 1, 1932 - December 14, 2012