Donald Gadbow

Reverend Donald Charles Gabow of Newton, Iowa passed away on October 17, 2025 at the age of 86. The son of Reverend Clinton Delbert (CD) Gadbow and Reverend Margaret Augusta (Kuentzel) Gadbow, he was born on February 15, 1939 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Don graduated from Wilson High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1957 where he played trombone in the High School Band. He traveled with his parents who were also Evangelists and performed in a brass trio with his sisters, Joan (Saxaphone) and Jean (Trumpet, Piano and Organ).

He married Bethelyn Sue (Jennings) in Duncan, Oklahoma on August 29, 1961 and had three children. Bethelyn Renee (Gadbow) Hainline, Michael Dale Gadbow, and Sherri Lynnette (Gadbow) Stockton.

He graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in 1962 where he played in the orchestra and traveled with the Orpheus Choir. He became an Ordained Minister for the Church of the Nazarene on August 27, 1964.

His pastorates included Kankakee, Illinois; Rockford, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Duncan, Oklahoma, Pensacola, Florida; Many, Louisiana; Lawton, Oklahoma; Iowa City, Iowa; Newton, Iowa; Cedar Falls, Iowa and Brownwood, Texas. He was an evangelist and then worked for the Nazarene Publishing House that allowed him to travel and meet Nazarenes around the country.

His accomplishments as a Pastor included District Quiz Master in Oklahoma and Louisiana, Iowa District Youth President, Iowa District Sunday School Superintendent and organization of many mission trips to Mexico. His creativity and passion for this work were unique and sincere.

He enjoyed music, fishing, hunting, travel, light houses, and ceramics.

He was proceeded in death by his parents; his sister, Jean (Chuck) Clark; his wife, Sue Gabow; and his granddaughter, Jesica Smith.

Don is survived by his children, Renee (Bryan) Hainline, Michael (Sheila) Gadbow, and Sherri (Don) Stockton; sister, Joan (Wayne) Gieselman; seven grandchildren; Blake (Heather) Hainline, Logan (Ashley) Gadbow, Dustin Gabow, Dakota Ritter, Shad (Rachel) Stockton, Chase (Nicole) Stockton and Shaylee Stockton; grandson-in-law, Tyler Smith; 14 great grandchildren, Abbygale Hainline, Allyson Hainline, Sophie Smith, Max Smith, Izzybelle Hainline, Ryan Hainline, Jack Stockton, Genevieve Stockton, Eleanor Stockton, Elijah Gadbow, Isaac Gadbow, Levi Gadbow, Leia Stockton, and MaLeaha Clark.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 30, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral service will be held the following day Friday, October 31, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Transformation (Eastside) Church of the Nazarene; 1451 E 25th St, Des Moines, Iowa. Family will receive guests from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

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