Memorial

Virginia Lou Gabel, 92, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Monday, June 29, 2026, at West Ridge Care Center.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2026, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service, at 10:00 a.m., at the chapel. A private family burial will follow at Linwood Cemetery.

Survivors include her two sons, Mike (Rochelle) Melsha of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Scott (Sue) Keith of Cookeville, Tennessee; three stepchildren, Linda (Mark) Prusynski of Boise, Idaho and Susan Batchelor of Juniata, Nebraska; and David Gabel of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald Gabel; her son, Ken Melsha; her grandson, Adrian; her brother, Don Edgington, and a daughter in law, Kim Melsha.

Virginia was born on April 3, 1934, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Clarence and Pauline (Cohea) Edgington.  She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1953. She worked for Craemer’s Department Store, and 35 years at Hawkeye Rubber Manufacturing. Virginia married Donald Francis Gabel on June 19, 2004, in Hiawatha, Iowa. 

Virginia enjoyed traveling, spending her winters in Arizona, watching Iowa football and basketball, and playing bingo, Farkle, and cornhole. She also served on the board of the Village Co-Op. Above all, she cherished time with her family, who were the center of her life and her greatest joy.