Gale Marie Bissell, 90, of Monona, Iowa passed away Friday May 30, 2025 at the Elkader Care Center in Elkader, Iowa. She was born February 28, 1935 to Eldon Frederick and Ella Henrietta Anna (Koopman) Kurth. Gale graduated from Farmersburg High School in 1953.
On November 10, 1953, Gale was united in marriage with John W. “Jack” Bissell at St. John Lutheran Church in Farmersburg, Iowa. To this union eight children were born.
Gale worked at the wire plant for many years, cooked at different restaurants and worked at Walmart for a short time. Gale was a devoted member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, where she was active in the choir and enjoyed singing. She also served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher for many years and was a Girl Scout leader, giving her time and heart to guide young girls in their growth.
A lifelong lover of learning, she enjoyed reading and doing puzzles. She was known as a great cook and loved hosting family gatherings—especially during deer camp season. She had a quiet and gentle nature, with a deep appreciation for family gatherings and spending time with her grandchildren.
Her hobbies included gardening, especially tending to her flowers, and she found joy in playing cards, board games and quilting. She also loved attending sports events and cherished every moment with her family. Her legacy of love, faith, and kindness will live on in the lives she touched.
Survivors include her children, Jerry (Darlene) Bissell of Postville, Iowa, Cindy (Danny) Hertrampf of Cassville, Wisconsin, Marty (Robin) Bissell of Monona, Iowa, Kristy Meier of Marion, Iowa and Mary Bissell of Monona, Iowa; twenty-two grandchildren; forty-two great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; her sisters, Dorothy Becker, La Von Germann, Elaine Doerring and Marilyn Hackett; one brother, Eldon Kurth;
Gale was preceded in death by her husband, John “Jack” Bissell on September 28, 2007; her parents; two sons, John Bissell Jr. and Bradley Allen Bissell; daughter, Wendy and Clay Yearous Gress; two grandsons, Jeremy and Bradley Bissell; sisters, ElDonna and Lyle Looby and Marlene and Roland Doerring; sister-in-law, Linda Kurth, brothers-in-law, Joe Becker, Walter Germann, James Doerring and Herb Hackett.
A Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Monona, Iowa. There will also be a one-hour visitation before services at the church on Thursday.
Funeral Service will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona, Iowa with Rev. Erika Lenth as the officiant.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monona, Iowa is assisting the family with Services.