Marvene A. Gubbels

Marvene A. Gubbels was born at Randolph, Nebraska, April 25, 1923, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Bermel Leiting. She was raised in Randolph receiving her elementary and high school education at St. Francis Catholic School. Following high school, Marvene futhered her education at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska where she received her Bachelor’s degree. Upon completion of her education she returned to Randolph where she was employed as Chief Operator for Ma Bell Telephone Company.On May 15, 1945 Marvene was united in marriage with the love her life, Merlin J. Gubbels, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Randolph. Their union was blessed with three children: Larry, Charley and Jan.The Gubbels farmed at Belden, Nebraska, until moving to Denison, Iowa, where Marvene was employed as Office Manager for Warner Cable until her retirement.In her leisure time Marvene enjoyed playing the organ, sewing, baking, cooking and playing dominos. Following their retirements, Marvene and Merlin enjoyed traveling, having visited all the states, camping, and wintering in Mesa, Arizona.Marvene was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison, St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild, Legion of Mary and Catholic Daughters of America.Merlin died December 5, 2014 and Marvene remained in Denison until moving to Omaha, Nebraska, October 9, 2015.Marvene died Wednesday evening, January 27, 2016, at Remington Heights in Omaha, Nebraska. At the time of her death she had been blessed with 92 years, 9 months and 2 days.Including her parents, Joseph and Mary Leiting and her husband Merlin, Marvene was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Larry Becker, three sisters: Phyllis Denney, Neomi Mefford and Marge Leiting; one brother, Joe Leiting; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Evelyn and Barney Arduser.Those remaining to cherish her memory include three children: Larry (Marilyn) Gubbels of Glendale, Arizona, Charley (David) Ludwig of Omaha, Nebraska, and Jan (Tom) Lawler of Harlan, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; sister-in-law Judy Leiting of Stockton, California; brother-in-law Gene (Ailene) Gubbels of Randolph, Nebraska; other relatives and friends.A memorial mass was celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 5, 2016, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Denison, Iowa, with Father Tom Bauwens as Celebrant and Father Marc Lim serving as Concelebrant. Others participating in the Mass included Servers: Jim Kregness and Jim Leinen; Lectors: grandchildren; Gift Bearers: great grandchildren and Eucharistic Ministers: Tom Lawler and David and Charley Ludwig. A reading of “Parable of Motherhood” was rendered by Larry Gubbels, Charley Ludwig, and Jan Lawler. Music for the Mass included St. Rose of Lima Adult Choir singing “Shepherd Me O God” and “Here I Am Lord” with Jean Cornelius serving as accompanist; Soloist and Pianist LaRee Gubbels singing “On Eagle’s Wings”, “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman”, “Go Rest High On That Mountain” and “Amazing Grace”. Private family inurnment will be held at Calvary Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska. Following the Mass all were invited to join the family at the St. Rose of Lima Parish Center for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by the St. Rose of Lima Ladies Guild. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa was in charge of the arrangements where a visitation was held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 4:30 p.m. and a Parish Vigil at 7:00 p.m. led by Father Tom Bauwens on Thursday, February 4, 2016.