Gail William Foxhoven, son of Laverne and Odelia (Gaul) Foxhoven was born on July 18, 1947, in Portsmouth. As a child, Gail attended and graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in Earling. After high school, Gail entered the United States Army Reserves, serving his country until his honorable discharge in 1971. He attended Iowa Western Community College Nursing program in Harlan.
Gail found the love of his life when he met Betty Bissen. They were united in marriage on July 25, 1970, in Defiance. To this union three children were born: Tammy, John, and Ann.
Gail began his nursing career at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan in 1969. He then transferred to Hospital Ambulance Service and later Medivac Ambulance/ Rescue in the late 1970's. He worked several years selling insurance for Combined and Physicians Mutual. The last forty years of his life was spent caring for the elderly in nursing homes in Omaha, Elk Horn, and Denison. He loved caring for people in the hospitals, in accidents, and in the nursing homes.
An important service to Gail was being a guardian on Honor Flights, beginning in 2008. His sense of humor, patriotism and medical expertise was a valuable asset to the World War II, Korean and Vietnam veterans.
His sense of humor broke the tension of stress. He was outgoing, friendly, funny, and always had a story or joke to tell. He shared his love of golf with his children and grandchildren and was proud of his grandsons’ accomplishments in golf. He enjoyed playing cards.
Gail respected men like John Wayne, Muhammad Ali, Elvis Presley, Bob Ross, and his father-in-law, Bud Bissen. He liked romantic songs and movies like Titanic and The Notebook. He loved his wife, children, and grandchildren deeply.
Gail died on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, at Dunlap Specialty Care in Dunlap, attaining the age of seventy-five years, one month and twenty-eight days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Odelia and Laverne Foxhoven; and his brother, Kenneth (Jane) Foxhoven.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Foxhoven of Earling; children, Tammy (Greg) Bladt of Harlan, John Foxhoven of Omaha, Neb., Ann (Justin) Conrad of Harlan; five grandchildren, Drew, Haley, Alex & Aiden Bladt, Lily Conrad; siblings, Joyce (Dave) Kenkel of Panama, Lyn Schneider of Millard, Neb., June Foxhoven of Millard; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Rev. Andrew Windschitl and Rev. Clement Owusu on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling. John Foxhoven, Greg Bladt, Drew Bladt, Alex, Aiden Bladt, and Justin Conrad served as casket bearers. Betty Foxhoven, Tammy Bladt, Haley Bladt, Ann Conrad, and Lily Conrad served as honorary casket bearers. Interment was held at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Earling.
Pauley Jones Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
