Gayle Edwin Folks

A Celebration of Gayle’s Life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Ankeny Funeral Home with a luncheon to follow.

On March 25, 1944 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, Gayle Edwin Folks was born to George and Ellen Lou (Mills) Folks. He grew up in Iowa Falls and graduated in the class of 1962. While in high school Gayle played basketball and was a valuable member of the team.

Gayle was united in marriage to Nancy Sue Struck on October 12, 1963 in Eldora, Iowa. The couple made a home in Ankeny and had been blessed with four daughters, Robyn Lynn, Lisa Marie, Jennifer Jo, and Tracey Leigh. Gayle made a career driving semis and earned the C.B. handle of “Super Scoop”. He retired in 2008 with over 40 years’ experience as a truck driver.

Gayle had a passion for sprint car racing and especially loved the Knoxville Raceway. He also enjoyed fishing, woodworking, growing tomatoes, and riding his motorcycle with Nancy. Gayle was an avid traveler and appreciated the open road; he took many road trips with Nancy and the girls. He and Nancy continued to travel when the girls were grown and they especially liked going to the beaches. Most of all, Gayle loved his wife, daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who all held a special place in his heart.

Survivors include his daughters, Robyn Lynn (Tim Allen) Gorman, Lisa Marie (Kenny) Watts, Jennifer Jo Herman, and Tracey Leigh (Blaine) Bolin; grandchildren, Mikayla, Tersha (Samuel), Zachary, Alyxis, Alysin, Abigayle, and Ayva; four great-grandchildren and was looking forward to two more great-grandchildren in summer 2015. He is also survived by his sisters, Carole (Bill) O’Hare and Ruth (Dean) Robison; and honorary son, Larry “Lumpy” Lehman Jr. and family.

He was preceded in death by his wife Nancy in 2008; his parents, George and Ellen Lou Folks; Nancy’s parents, Clarence and Evelyn Struck; sister-in-law, Cinda Wehrman; and son-in-law, Trace Herman.

Gayle was a donor for the Iowa Lion’s Eye Bank and his family requests memorial contributions may be directed to support something Gayle strongly believed in.