Donald Lester Gobeli

Donald L. Gobeli, 73, of rural Garner, died Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.

Memorial services will be held 10 A.M., Saturday, August 31st at Faith Lutheran Church in Miller with Pastor Sandi Gobeli officiating. Inurnment will be at the Madison Township Cemetery near Forest City.

A memorial visitation will be from 5 to 7 P.M., Friday at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. 4th St., in Garner and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Melanoma Research Foundation at www.melanoma.org, Good Days Chronic Disease Fund at www.gooddaysfromcdf.org or your local food pantry. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.cataldofuneralhome.com.
Donald Lester Gobeli was born June 14, 1940 on a farm north of Meservey, Iowa, to Lester and Avis (Wilson) Gobeli. He was baptized and confirmed at the Meservey Evangelical United Brethren Church and grew up on the family farm north of Meservey. He attended and graduated from Meservey High School. He married Marjorie (Riekena) Hedum on June 14, 1968 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City. He became the loving father to Linda Beth, Marcia Kay, Douglas Richard and Donavon Gene. Over the years, he farmed, drove truck for several trucking companies, worked for American Sugar Co., Holland Contracting, E.F. Johnson, Martin Marietta and then Basic Materials Corporation for over thirty years until retiring. Don loved horseback riding and loved being on the trail. He always looked forward to traveling and riding with friends whether it was near or far. Family and friends were very important to Don and he loved getting together for a meal and a visit. Don was loved by many and will be truly missed. His big heart and large laugh will be remembered forever.

He is survived by his daughter, Marcia Netland of Thornton; grandchildren, Shari (Jeff) Kaller of Ottumwa, Steve Prescott of Clear Lake, and Sara (Bob) Weber of Austin, MN; six great-grandchildren; brother, Daryl (Norma Jean) Gobeli of Mason City; sisters-in-law, Jeanyce Gobeli of Milton, FL, Marlene Gobeli of Mason City and Sandi Gobeli of Mason City; brother-in-law, Bennie (Doreen) Riekena of Bloomington, MN; many nieces and nephews; a large extended family; and many close friends that he thought of as family.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Ann Gobeli; children, Linda Cushman, Douglas Gobeli, and Donavon Gobeli; grandson, Clinton Cushman; brothers, Allan Gobeli, Leonard Gobeli, and David Gobeli; parents, Lester and Avis Gobeli; and parents-in-law, Ben and Mabel Riekena.