Please join us for a time of fellowship, memories and luncheon to celebrate Gael and Linda Doane. Our Celebration will be held Sunday, August 3, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Cox-Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. A private burial will take place in Hazelwood Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the PALS and sent in care of Cox-Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, PO Box 163, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.

Linda Doane, 82, of Grinnell, died Friday, July 25, 2025, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell, due to complications with dementia. Gael E. Doane, 86, of Grinnell, died Saturday, November 30, 2024, at his home.

Gael was born on March 17, 1938, at home near Kellogg, Iowa, to Jettison and Alle Jenece (Iosbaker) Doane. He attended Lynnville-Sully schools.

Linda was born on February 23, 1943, in Hollywood, California; the daughter of Berlou and Revea (Innis) Vieth.

Gael served in the Navy for 4 years. He said he was at a crossroads and could have turned towards Phoenix or Iowa. He told Becky that she could have been Mexican. Gael and Linda married in 1959 at the ages of 21 and 16.  They took their vows seriously and promised never to remove their wedding bands. Becky was born in 1960 and Bud in 1962. The four of them made the perfect family and they were seldom apart. They lived in a magical bubble, safe and secure, just the four of them. Gael began working at Donaldson's and Linda stayed home but decided she needed a job and a diploma. She went to high school with all the other kids and graduated in 1970.  She worked as a school librarian and at State Farm Insurance. Her final job was at Miraco. Gael and Linda went to saw sharpening school and they started a little business that was successful. Linda also sold purses at home parties for Fay Swafford Originals. One year Gael was out of town for work. To enter the factory, you had to remove your jewelry. Gael called home and asked Linda if it would be alright if he took off his wedding band. It was that important.  Trout fishing became a passion and they spent countless days and weeks in northeast Iowa. Gael retired in 2000, they moved to Seeland Park and planned to travel.  Linda had saved money for years to do this.  Gael did his best to care for Linda, but she was moved to St. Francis January 9th, 2023. This was terribly hard. They had never lived apart. They were lonely. They were breathing but grieving. Their 65th wedding anniversary came and went. In October of 2024 Gael learned he had esophageal cancer, and it couldn't be treated. He was so brave and rarely complained. He said that he wished he had a tape recorder because he had quite a story to tell.  It was about his life. He said he'd gone back to the beginning and replayed it all in his mind.  He decided he'd had a remarkable and wonderful life and that it would make a great movie.  Gael passed away November 30, 2024.  Linda was not even aware of it.  The blessing is that neither had to grieve for the other's death.  Linda passed away July 25, 2025. We are putting their rings in with their ashes, and they can continue their extraordinary lives in Heaven.

They will be remembered by her children, Becky McDaniel and Bud (Kristy) Doane, all of Grinnell; four grandchildren; four great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.