Iva LaMae Gabriel, age 96, of Whitehall, formerly of Blair, died on Wednesday, August 24, 2022 in the Gundersen Tri-County Care Center in Whitehall.

Iva was born on January 20, 1926 on a farm east of Blair to Ray and Lillie (Olson) Skorstad.  She attended country grade school called Whispering Pines and walked three miles to school each day since this was before the days of buses.  She graduated from the Blair High School in 1944 and always enjoyed attending her class reunions.

Iva married Norman "Swede" O. Gabriel on August 20, 1949 in Decorah, IA.  Swede passed away on June 20, 2010 after almost sixty years of marriage and Iva missed him dearly.

Iva loved flowers and yard work and together she and Swede always had a beautifully landscaped yard.  They loved animals and had many family dogs and cats over the years.  They always fed the birds and their home in Blair was visited by orioles every year.

Iva and Swede were faithful volunteers at the Tri-County Memorial Nursing Home in Whitehall for many years and accompanied the residents on many outings.  Their vacations were spent traveling with their favorite destination being Branson, MO.  Given their strong Norwegian heritage, Iva and Swede did a lot of baking together every Christmas including lefse, flatbread, rosettes and sandbakkels.

Iva is survived by a daughter, Kris (Mark) Levendoski of Genoa; two grandchildren, Sarah (Rick) Lester of Viroqua and their children Evan and Sadie Lester; and Jonathan (Jackie) Levendoski of Genoa and their children, Henry, Oscar and Reagan.  Iva is further survived by her loving Smith nieces and nephew, Peg, Sue, Mary, Jim and Jeanne.

In addition to her parents and husband, Iva was preceded in death by two sons, Charles Edward (shortly after birth), a special little boy, Eric Charles "Charlie" at age eight and a brother, Jerome.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. in the Youth and Education Center Chapel at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church with burial in the Lincoln Cemetery both in Whitehall.  Friends may call one hour prior to the service.  Pastor Peter Jonas will officiate.

Memorials may be designated to the Trempealeau County Humane Association, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice.

Iva's family would like to give special thanks to the Gundersen Tri-County Care Center nurses and staff and St. Croix Hospice for all of their special care during Iva's last days.