Gail Earleywine

Gail Leroy Earleywine, age 93, of Council Bluffs, Iowa passed away on February 25, 2025 peacefully at Hansen House Assisted Living in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Gail was born on February 12, 1932 in Logan, Iowa to Stoker and Vivian (Lamb) Earleywine.

Gail's greatest fondness was his family, wood crafting, traveling, fishing, playing cards and cribbage and weekly coffee with his late brother Glen.

Gail joined the Army February 1951 and was stationed in South Korea during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on January 31, 1954. He was proud to have served in the Army. He was later thrilled to participate in the Central and Western Iowa Honor Flight that allowed Korean War heroes to travel to Washington, DC to visit various memorials and to be honored for their service.

He was united in marriage to (Ruth) Elaine Tensmeyer on Nov 2, 1952 at the Methodist Church in Magnolia, Iowa and remained married until Elaine passed away October 8, 1976. Within the 24 years that they were married they had 3 children (Dennis, Pam and Chris) and lived in Des Moines, Iowa.

On June 7, 1980, Gail married Doris Elaine (Block) Breyfogle. They claimed the song "You Light Up My Life" for their own. He also gained seven stepchildren. He said he always wanted a large family, and it really happened!

Gail was employed by the United States Postal Service for 39 years. The first years began with sorting mail on railroad cars while the train traveled to Chicago and back. He was a Special Delivery Postal Deliverer when he retired. After retirement, as promised prior to their marriage, Doris and he moved to Underwood, Iowa so that they would be near three of Doris' daughters.

Gail was a great craftsman of wood. He made many beautiful oak doll cradles, oak rocking horses, wood cars, trains and trucks for his grandkids and great-grandkids that they still cherish today. He also collaborated with Doris to make many holiday crafts where he did the woodwork and Doris painted and crafted the finishing touches.

Gail and Doris traveled to many states once he retired. They enjoyed exploring new places.

In addition to his first wife, Elaine, he was preceded in death by his parents, Stoker and Vivian; brothers, Merlin, Glen, Dwaine and Ronnie; sisters, Marcella (Earleywine) Wetzel, Shirley (Earleywine) Baldwin, Maxine Smith and Ilene Weed; great-granddaughter, Billie Jo Thul; and stepson, David Breyfogle.

Gail is survived by his wife, Doris; sons, Dennis (Deb) Earleywine and Chris (Cay) Earleywine; daughter, Pam Earleywine Dearden; stepchildren, Linda (Bob) Maxwell, Ric Breyfogle, Cheryl Breyfogle, Deb (Rick) Saar, Doug (Rachel) Breyfogle, and Kristi Hildreth; daughter-in-law, Barrie Breyfogle; 26 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren and one on the way.

Gail will surely be missed by so many friends and relatives, but the memories of him will live on through his family.

No services are being held at this time.