Obituary of Helen Patricia Gaul

Helen P. Gaul, 83, of Dyersville, and formerly of Petersburg died Wednesday, August 10, 2016, at Oak Crest Manor, Dyersville, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday August 12, 2016, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12th Ave SW in Dyersville where a parish vigil service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Visitation will continue 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at Kramer Funeral Home prior to funeral services Saturday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 13, 2016, SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Petersburg, Iowa with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. John O’Connor will officiate. Helen was born October 25, 1932 in New Vienna, Iowa the daughter of Gregor and Anna (Klosterman) Hermsen. She married Eldon Gaul on August 18, 1956 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna, Iowa, they would have celebrated their 60th anniversary together this year. She enjoyed researching family history. Helen made many hand sewn quilts which her family will treasure. She was a wonderful baker and was known for her orange cookies. She will be dearly missed. Survivors include her husband, Eldon, five children: Sharon (Larry) Monroe of Maplewood, MN, Michael Gaul of Petersburg, Carla (Stan) Thomas of Peosta, Patricia Gaul (Charles Duch) of Alexandria, VA, Pete (Kim) Gaul of Petersburg, grandchildren: Brigid (Dan) Burhans, Cori (Aaron) Burbach, Tony (Callie) Gaul, Casey Gaul (fiancé Tim Riesberg), Chad (Tiffany) Thomas, Emily (Brandon) Stone, Ryan, Elliot, Evan, Owen Gaul, 3 great grandchildren: siblings: Richard (Eileen) Hermsen of Luxemburg, Roger (Grace) Hermsen of Manchester, Bernice (Ken) Vorwald of New Vienna, Gladys (Harry) Burkle, of Dyersville, Elizabeth Deutmeyer of Petersburg, Arthur Hermsen of New Vienna, in-laws: Diane Hermsen of New Vienna, Marvin Gaul of Holy Cross, Gerald (Joan) Gaul of Farley, Virgil (Helen) Gaul of Dubuque, Lawrence (Delores) Gaul of Epworth. She was preceded in death by her parents, parents-in-law, Alphonse and Regina Gaul, brother, Harold Hermsen, in-laws, Joyce Hermsen, Tom Deutmeyer, Ralph and Laura Meyer, Germaine Gaul, Leander Gaul in infancy. A special thanks to the staff at Oakcrest Manor and Hospice of Dubuque for their compassionate care.