Marti Gabel, 67, of Montezuma and formerly of Oskaloosa, passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at the Hospice Serenity House. Martha Marie Gabel, daughter of Donald and Lena (Smothers) Rogers, was born on June 29, 1956, in Tupelo, Mississippi. Martha grew up in Mississippi and moved to Iowa during her teenage years. She resided in Grinnell, and the family moved around Poweshiek County multiple times. She attended the Grinnell School system. After her education, Marti was a caretaker for her sister and four brothers. Marti married Johnny Hatley, and three daughters and two sons were born into this union; they later divorced. Martha later married John Gabel, and three step-daughters were added to the family. She and John lived in Oskaloosa, where Marti was a homemaker for her busy family. She enjoyed her children and their friends; their home was always where everyone congregated. Watching CSI television shows, taking photos, and collecting Indian dolls were a few things that Marti also loved, but her grandchildren were her greatest joy in life.
Left to cherish Marti’s memory is her family, which includes: Wendy (Ben McClun) Hatley of Fremont, Carey (Jeremy) Dannels of Rose Hill, Amy (Josh) Spriggs of Bolivar, MO, John (Tierney Stone) Hatley of Oskaloosa, and Amanda Olivier of Grinnell; her three step-daughters: Tonya (Mike) DenHartog, Tina Allen and Twyla Gabel; grandchildren: Kalie (Cory) Patterson, Dakota (Cody) Kline, Tanner McClun, Clayton (Melissa) Hatley, Alivia (Gavon) Gordon, Emily Dickinson, Anndressa (B.J.) Dannels, Robert (Maleea) Dannels, Judson Dannels, Ethan, Landon and Isaac Spriggs, Gaje Hatley, Maci Hatley, Jessica (Joel) Erritt, Kiah (Dustin Christinson) Olivier, ten great-grand-children with two more on the way, siblings: William Rogers, Rick Rogers, and Debbie (Ronnie) Winchell, all of Newton, IA and many nieces and nephews.
Marti was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Johnny Hatley and John Gabel, a son in infancy, Nathan Daniel Hatley, two brothers, Jim and Kenny Rogers, and a son-in-law, Matthew Dickinson.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Langkamp Funeral Chapel and Crematory, with Pastor Homer McBeth officiating. Burial will be held in Old White Cemetery following services. As was her wish, her body has been cremated.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to help pay for her final expenses.
