Obituary of Gayle Voorhees

GAYLE L. VOORHEES

   DENVER, IA-Gayle L. Voorhees, 77, of Sterling, died, Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Denver Sunset Home, Denver, IA. She was employed at Fitzgerald Drug Store, Morrison Hospital, Sterling Clinic and Northwestern Life Insurance, at one time.

   Gayle was born July 8, 1939 in Sterling, the daughter of Everette and Grace (Fritz) Minier, where she grew up on a farm. Gayle grew up in Sterling, and married Harley Arians on October 5, 1958, where they ultimately settled in Morrison on the Arians family farm. To this union there were four children, Harlan (Deb) Arians of Denver, IA, Harold (Lisa) Arians of Clear Lake, IA, Harvey (Dawn) Arians of Morrison and Gayla Arians of Leroy. She then married, Allen D. Voorhees on November 3, 1990 in Morrison. Gayle welcomed two more children into her life: Dean (Deana) Voorhees and Kittie (Larry) Mital both of Milan. Surviving are also seventeen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

   Gayle was a proud graduate of Sterling High School, where she was a National Honor Society graduate and cheerleader.  Gayle later volunteered many years as cheerleading coach for the Union Grove Junior High School. Gayle was also a 4-H member and later became a 4-H leader for Fenton chapter.  Gayle was also deeply involved in the Morrison Music Theater Association (MMTA), and served many years as a school board member for the Morrison School district.  Gayle was an avid sports fan, particularly her beloved Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and them "Fighting Illini".  She was seen by her kids on several occasions to be washing and ironing clothes with the Cubs game on TV.

Last but most importantly, besides working full time outside the home, Gayle was that proverbial full-time mom and spouse to her family on the Arians family farm near Fenton.  Gayle was known to jump right in to help with the demanding work involved with running the dairy and swine farm, managing a large garden, and keeping the yard up. Her family always had a warm breakfast waiting for them after morning chores... and a warm supper after night chores.

   She was preceded in death by her husband Allen on February 20, 2008; parents and brother Glenn Minier.

   Funeral services will be held at10 AM Saturday, May 13, 2017 at  Bethesda Lutheran Church, Morrison with Bob Burton, pastor, officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Sterling. Visitation will be from 5-8 PM Friday at the Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation, Sterling. and from 9-9:45AM, prior to services at the church.

   A memorial has been established.