Gail Fern Kammeyer

GREENE | Funeral Mass for Gail Kammeyer, 95, of Greene, will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Greene with Rev. Msgr. Walter Brunkan officiating. Burial will be in the St. Mary Cemetery, Greene.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, 2015, at Retz Funeral Home, 519 N. First St., Greene, with a Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour before services at the church on Wednesday.

Gail Fern Kammeyer was born January 31, 1920, in rural Marble Rock, Iowa, daughter of Arthur and Daisy (Brown) Parker and died Friday, April 17, 2015, at the Liebe Care Center in Greene, Iowa. She received her education in public school and graduated from Marble Rock High School in 1938.

She married Ralph McGrath February 15, 1944, and they farmed a few miles West of Greene. After his death, she moved to Greene where she met and later married Robert E Kammeyer on July 21, 1956. They lived in Blomington, MN; Cinncinnati, OH; and Barrington, IL as he traveled for his work with AT&T. Upon retirement and as planned, they returned to his childhood home of Greene, IA. Robert died on April 9, 2003.

Gail loved animals and had four dogs: Sam, Tonya, BG, and Alfie, all who played a large role in her life at different times.

She loved crafting with dried flowers, making lampshades and decorative plates which she sold at Rita Barth's annual Herb Festival.

An avid thrift shopper, Gail found many bargains and loved to dress her best.

Fishing was a true love and Gail and Bob spent many vacations at Gus Majewski's resort in Hayward, WI. Later on they discovered Port Washington, WI, and fished for salmon.

She was an excellent cook and loved to bring meals to Father Brunkan as well as others.

A devout Catholic, St Mary's played a large role in her life where she was part of the group that counted the weekly offerings. Father Cizek was a family friend and often had meals with the Kammeyers.

Gail is survived by her son, James Michael McGrath; her daughter, Joan Louise McGrath; and step-daughter Kathy Kammeyer; her brother Kenneth "Mike" (Renee) Parker of Nora Springs and her sister Wilma "Billie" (Robert) Vantuyl of Greene, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Edgar, Roy "JoJo" and Russell "Barney"; and sisters: Helen and Dorothy "Dode"; sisters-in-law Peggy Parker, Berniece Parker, and Renee Parker; brothers-in-law: Leroy Kingery and Harry Merfield.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Greene Public Library.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Retz Funeral Home, 519 N. First St. Greene. 641-823-4457 www.retzfh.com