Iona Haight-Gabel

Iona Fern (Ganzhorn) Haight-Gabel was born on February 1, 1921, to Elmer and Matie (Kucks) Ganzhorn in Pisgah, Iowa. She was raised west of Woodbine, attended country school, and she graduated from Woodbine High School. Iona taught country school until she married Harold "Bud" Haight. The couple lived in Fairbury, Nebraska for a short time and then Texas. After Bud's honorable discharge the couple lived in Woodbine. Iona worked at Haight Insurance Agency, was the Woodbine City Clerk, worked at First National Bank in Woodbine and then part time at Countryside Timekeeper. Bud died in August of 1977. Iona married Earl Gabel and the couple divided their time between Woodbine and Council Bluffs. The couple enjoyed traveling. Earl died in March of 2008.

Iona was a member of the United Methodist Church, P.E.O. and Eastern Star. She loved bowling, fishing trips with the Warner's, Brown's and Bloom's. She also enjoyed dancing, playing golf, and shopping on QVC. Iona was an avid reader, an outstanding cook and she enjoyed collecting cookbooks.

Iona died on Wednesday, November 4, 2015, at the Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine, Iowa at the age of 94 years, nine months, and three days.

Iona was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands Bud Haight and Earl Gabel; son-in-law, Rob Colwell; two brothers, Richard and Robert Ganzhorn; sister-in-law, Betty Ganzhorn; twin great grand-daughters, Julie Ann and Myah Rea Mullenix; and great grandson, Brant O'Banion. She is survived by her four children, Linda (Ben) Andersen of Dunlap, Iowa, Ellen (John) O'Banion and Nan Colwell all of Missouri Valley, Iowa, Hal (Jill) Haight of Ankeny, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; 18 ½ great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mae Ganzhorn of Woodbine, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.