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Gale F. Mendenhall

July 31, 1935 - April 18, 2023

Gale Fredrick Mendenhall, age 87, of Bondurant, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, April 18, 2023, in Des Moines, surrounded by his family.

Gale was born July 31, 1935, in Des Moines Iowa to Guy and Florence Mendenhall. He graduated from Bondurant Farrar where he met his high school sweetheart and wife of 68 years, Carolyn. They married February 12, 1955, and had two children of their own and later went on to raise a niece and nephew.

Gale was a lifelong farmer and loved his land, raising cattle, gardening, fishing and the Iowa State Fair. He was also a member of the Bondurant Lion’s Club. He was blessed to have his family close by because his greatest joy was spending time with his family. He loved the family vacations to Gulf Shores where he got to eat all the shrimp he wanted.  He adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren and never missed an event or game throughout the years, supporting them and cheering them on, also spoiling them along the way. He will be remembered for his love and devotion to his family.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn; brother Wendell (Barbara) Mendenhall; his daughters, Lori (Craig) Mally, Judi Mendenhall (Jean Schwendau), nephew, Patric Preston, niece, Tammie (Mike) Jepsen; his grandchildren, Tiffany (Bill) Dvorak, Cody Mally, Kaitlyn Preston, Emma Preston, Abbie Preston, Brandon Jepsen, and the loves of his life his great grandchildren, Vinny Dvorak and Nora Mally.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the family for some type of memorial in Gale’s name at the Iowa State Fair.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Bondurant American Legion (315 2^nd Street NW) on Saturday, June 17, 2023, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.