Hometown: Maquoketa November 22, 1945 - November 15, 2015

Gary Lee Rubel, 69, of Maquoketa passed away on November 15, 2015 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. His Visitation will be held Sunday, November 22, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Lahey Funeral Home in Maquoketa, Iowa. There will be a private gathering at his house following the visitation. Burial will be at a later date at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Springbrook, Iowa. Gary was born on November 22, 1945 in Springbrook, Iowa to Roland and Luella (Schmidt) Rubel. In 8th grade his father passed away, so Gary chose to help with the family farm, leaving his schooling. In later years he purchased his own farm outside of Preston. Gary served in the United States Army, 137th Engineering Company. He was a heavy machine operator when he served time in the Vietnam War from 1965-1967. He made several close friends while in the military and went to the 137th Engineers Reunions. Gary married Nancy Hardison, and they had 3 children, Jenny, Teresa, and Joe. They later divorced and he married Colleen Scanlon, and had one son, Shane, before divorcing. Gary worked at International Paper in Clinton before beginning his 25 year career at Ralston Purina in Clinton, Iowa. His Commanding Officer wrote him a letter of recommendation for his outstanding efforts in the Army and that is how he acquired his job at Ralston Purina. Gary was a relentless worker at everything he did, even after an accident that left him paralyzed in 1994. Gary enjoyed visiting, socializing, and especially his morning coffee with friends. Gary was a past member of the Izaak Walton League, a league to conserve outdoor America for future generations. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and enjoyed trap shooting, and tinkering. Gary moved to Maquoketa in 2007, to a house he built to be closer to his family. His grandchildren were truly the light of his life, and he loved attending their activities. Those left to cherish his memories are his four children; Jenny (Dean) Roghair of Ankeny, Teresa (Todd) Volquardsen of Miles, Joe (Sam) Rubel of Maquoketa, and Shane Rubel (Jenny Kennedy) of Maquoketa, seven grandchildren; Marissa, Kara, and Tyler Roghair, Brittany, and Dustin "Pete" Volquardsen, Jozie and Jordan Rubel, and two sisters; Shirley (Duane) Laffey of Runnels, IA, and Lorna Rubel of Preston, Sister in law, Nancy Rubel of Maquoketa, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Jackie Rubel, who passed away in May 2014. A special thank you to three special friends, Marilyn, Linda, and Kim who made it possible for him to stay living in his home.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.laheys.com.