Gretchen Jayne Gidel

Gretchen Jayne Gidel
Gretchen Jayne Gidel

Gretchen Jayne Gidel, previously of Amarillo, died April 11, 2021, in Austin, Texas.

Mrs. Gidel was born to Joseph and Gretchen Santmyer Carrier on September 18, 1918 in Vinton, Iowa.

After graduation from Vinton High School and Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, she taught school for three years in Ackley, Iowa.  She married Eugene F. Gidel on June 18, 1943 in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Following her husband’s return from WWII service overseas, they resided in Ackley until 1960, when they moved with their three children to Amarillo.  Following the death of her husband in September of 2012, Mrs. Gidel moved to Austin.

Her parents and two sisters, Betty Kinnan and Margot Eldridge also preceded her in death.  Survivors include a son, John Gidel, two daughters, Margot Levatino and her husband, Sal, and Mary Fraser, all of Austin.

Private services were previously held.  Arrangements were by Boxwell Brothers with entombment in the Llano Cemetery Mausoleum in Amarillo.

4 Replies to “Gretchen Jayne Gidel”

  1. Margot, I was very sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. She was a very nice lady and a good friend to my mom. I know she was a major asset to our church. I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing your siblings, but I know your mom and dad raised at least one lady who was always a class act.

  2. John and girls
    As a “back fence” neighbor growing up on Rusk, my memories of the Gidels (who had just moved into the neighborhood) are of your sweet Mom with her pretty smile. What a lovely and kind lady! I know she will be missed.

  3. Such a lovely lady with an ever present smile. She was the epitome of graciousness. We moved across the street as their neighbors in 1980 and were blessed to know both her and Gene. They were great mentors in getting along in a neighborhood! Jayne loved the “kitty creatures” in the neighborhood and couldn’t bear to see them hungry. She always sent beautiful handwritten notes acknowledging achievements and life celebrations to our family and kids that were treasured and remembered to this day. She was a special lady.

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