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Frank Gale, 78, of Creston, entered eternal rest Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, at home surrounded by his family. Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31 at the First Presbyterian Church in Creston with Rev. Cyndy Ripperger officiating. Committal services will be at the Graceland Cemetery Chapel with Military Honors by Theodore J. Martens VFW Post #1797. Public viewing will be from 12-4 p.m with family to greet friends from 5-7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home, with cremation to follow.
Memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church or to the Frank Gale Memorial to be established by the family. Condolences and memories can be shared online at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.
Frank Dudley Gale was born Sept. 22, 1944, the son of Theryl Henry and Ruth Amelia (Nauman) Gale in Marshalltown. Frank was raised and educated in the Marshalltown area and graduated from Beaman-Conrad-Liscomb High School in Conrad with the class of 1963.
On Aug. 20, 1967, Frank was united in marriage to Judith Elaine Kemper in Marion. Frank and Judy would be blessed with the birth of three children: Angela, Tiffany and Brandon.
In 1971, Frank received a bachelors degree in cinema and photography from Southern Illinois University. He earned his master’s degree in 1973 in occupational and vocational education. Frank taught college level photography and law enforcement at Truman State University in Missouri for several years until the family moved to Creston in July 1979.
Frank began working in administration at Southwestern Community College for a short time. From 1981-1988, Frank owned and operated Fotos by Frank Photography Studio, but his passion was to help young people in school. Frank taught Special Education at Mount Ayr Alternative School, Clarinda Academy and Des Moines Public Schools until retiring in 2012. He continued teaching by substituting in area schools until 2020.
Frank was a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church, where he served on numerous committees and held many different offices. Frank also served his country in the National Guard for 14 years and was a member of the American Legion. He served two terms on Creston City Council, volunteered at the Creston Visitors Center and participated in various Crest Area Theatre plays and productions. Frank was active in the Union County Democratic Party and 4-H Small Animal Committee, judging photography and small animal contests. He also helped with the 4-H rabbit show at the Iowa State Fair.
Frank was a member since 1985 of the American Rabbit Breeders Association and the Iowa State Rabbit Breeders Association.
Frank and Judy spent many years camping at the Iowa State Fair and Frank loved participating in the Beard Costume Contest. The family also enjoyed camping at Green Valley State Park for many years.
Preceding Frank in death was his son, Brandon Douglas Gale; his parents; sister-in-law, Nancy Gale; brother-in-law, David Ward; in-laws, Art and Anita Kemper and great-nieces: Chloe Gale, Aurora DeVries and Lani Ward.
Frank is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Judy Gale of Creston; his daughters: Angela Sue (Billy) Wimber of Afton and Tiffany Lynn Gale of Creston; nine grandchildren: Mikayla (Hunter) Walker, Tony (Morgan) Wojtalewicz, twins, Krisha and Kayla Davis, Trevor Davis, Katelinn (J.R.) Hicks, Cole Wimber, Dylan Wimber and Skyler Gale; six great-grandchildren: Paisley, Forrest and Tripp Wojtalewicz, Brynlee Davis, Kamilah Frazier and Elaina Hicks; three brothers: James (Stephanie) Gale of Moorehead, Minnesota, David (Traci) Gale of Ross, California, and Jerry Gale (Suzanne Perry) of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; brother-in-law, Ken Kemper of Anamosa and sister-in-law, Jan Ward of Independence, Missouri.