Gail S. Holz

Gail S. Holz (nee Stettner) passed away surrounded by her loving family at Mercy Hospice in Johnston on August 28, 2013. Gail was born on December 3, 1948 in Elgin, IL and graduated from Larkin High School in Elgin in 1966. Gail graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. It was there that she met the love of her life, Frank K. Holz. Gail and Frank were married for almost 44 years.

After Gail and Frank moved to Des Moines, Gail started working part-time in the shoe department at the downtown J.C. Penney Company. She entered J. C. Penny’s management program and after many years she retired as a General Merchandise Manager at the Valley West store. After retiring from Penney’s, she devoted much of her time to creating beautiful quilts, winning numerous awards for her work including Best of Show at the 1998 Iowa State Fair. In 2008 Gail’s quilt was Best of Show in her category at the American Quilters Society/Des Moines Quilt Show. For over 13 years she worked part-time at The Quilt Block in West Des Moines. During this time she met many of her life long friends and became actively involved in both local and national quilt guilds. Gail was President of the Des Moines Area Quilt Guild in 1994. She was also a member of Chapter HH of the PEO Sisterhood and served as President in 1993. At the University of Iowa she was member of the Alpha Phi Sorority. She received the Michaelanean Award which recognizes Alumnae for their outstanding loyalty and continuous devotion to Alpha Phi at the local level.

Gail is survived by her husband, Frank; brother, Bob Stettner (Alice McCann) of Austin, TX; and eight cherished nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Tom Buroker, Pat, Michelle and Edra at the John Stoddard Cancer Center for all the effort and encouragement during her treatment; and everyone at the Mercy Hospice Johnston for their loving care and devotion during her stay.

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 30, 2013 from 4-7 pm, at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines. Services for family and friends will be on Saturday, August 31 at 10:00 a.m. also at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to:
Susan G. Komen Iowa, PO Box 8468, Des Moines, IA 50301;
John Stoddard Cancer Center, www.johnstoddardcancer.org;
Mercy Hospice Johnston, 5820 Winwood Dr, Johnston, IA 50131-1651.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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