Rhett Gelo 1980-2004

GELO, SMITH, HUNT

Posted By: D Cunningham (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:38

Rhett M. Gelo, age 24, of Ankeny, formerly of Decorah, died Thursday, July 22, 2004, in Johnston, Iowa, from injuries received in a motorcycle accident. Funeral services were held Monday, July 26 at Grace Fellowship Church in Decorah with Pastor Skip Hansen officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon was in charge of arrangements.

Rhett Morgan Gelo was born June 25, 1980, in La Crosse, Wis., the son of Gordon and Connie (Smith) Gelo. He graduated from Decorah Senior High School in 1999. During the summer months he worked at the family owned lodge in Lake Kabetogama, Minn. Rhett attended Iowa State University for three years and was attending Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, majoring in auto body design. He was working at Bear's Restaurant and Lounge in Ankeny.

Rhett was a former member of Grace Fellowship Church. He enjoyed woodworking and was an avid reader. His favorite thing to do was work with his hands to repair car and boat bodies. His dream was to design and make single design cars.

Survivors include his parents, Gordon and Jennifer Gelo of Lake Kabetogama; five brothers, Rhace, Rhory, Rhegy, Raphael, and Kalen Gelo; all of Lake Kabetogama; three sisters, Kayla Gelo of Lake Kabetogama, Kate Hunt of Waverly, Iowa, and Sarah Hunt of Minneapolis, Minn.; his paternal grandmother, Dorothy Gelo of Waukon and maternal grandparents, Keith and Rose Marie Smith of Postville.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Connie, and his paternal grandfather, Walter Gelo.

Casketbearers were Rhace, Rhory, Raphael, Shayne, and Shawn Gelo.

Source: The Waukon Standard-Wednesday, July 28, 2004

from my parents obituary collection