Florene (McIntire) Gamble (2020)

BEYMER, FINK, GAMBLE, GERST, GOMEZ, HALL, KLINGER, LANGDON, MARKLEY, MCINTIRE, MOUSEL, NILE, VINCENT, WALKER, WILLIAMS, YOUNG

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:04:37

Hamilton’s Funeral Home
Des Moines, Iowa

Florene McIntire Gamble, 86, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2020 at Fountain West Care Center in West Des Moines, IA. Florene was born in the little town of Bethlehem, IA, on February 21, 1934 to Leona (Markley) and Carl “Joe” McIntire, the sixth of eleven children. The family moved to Maxwell, IA, when Florene was 2-1/2 years old. She attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Maxwell High School in 1952. Upon graduation, she and three classmates moved to Des Moines to work for Bankers Life Insurance Company. Florene married Cleo Gamble on February 26, 1953; he passed away in 1974.

Florene was a stay-at-home mom from 1960 to 1978 and a childcare provider for preschool age children. In September of 1978, Florene went to work for Reames Foods. After nearly 21 years of service, she retired at the age of 65 in February of 2000. Florene was a resident at Valley West Apartments beginning in 1993 and was the self-appointed “social director.” She organized potlucks, bingo night, dinners out and various other social activities for the residents. She was an avid Bunco and card player. With a growing number of health concerns, she moved to Heritage Court (Fountain West) Assisted Living in February of this year where she was surrounded by a loving, caring staff.

Her family was her pride and joy. She loved every minute she was able to spend with them. She was proud of her grand and great-grandchildren. Florene had a wonderful sense of humor and brought laughter to all with her crazy antics. She was a good friend to many and always helped find the humor in everything. She found the greatest blessings in life to be her family and friends.

She will be dearly missed by her children, Shelia (Jim) Langdon, Rick (Shellie) Gamble, Greg Gamble, Cindy (Chuck) Gerst, and Scott (Shasta) Gamble; grandchildren, Chris Gamble, Bryan (Michelle) Langdon, Courtney Williams, Lacey Gamble, and Eva Gerst; step-grandchildren, Jordan, Caleb and Skylar Walker; great-grandchildren, Braden Williams, Bryce Williams, Maria Fink, Benjamin Langdon, Jonathan Langdon, Nicholas Langdon, Liam Hall, and Ella Gomez; siblings, James (MaryAnn) McIntire, Donna Young, Marilyn (Max) Klinger, Betty (Nile) Beymer, and Linda (Duane) Mousel.

Florene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; sister, Florence Vincent; and brothers, Billie Joe, Dean, Erwin and Charles McIntire.

Florene once told a grandchild she would one day like to ride in a hot air balloon. Let’s hope she finally got that hot air balloon ride and sailed peacefully up, up and away in a beautiful balloon beyond the clouds and stars to heaven where she was greeted by her loved ones.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in memory of Florene to be disbursed to the many caregivers who so lovingly and compassionately cared for her.

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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