Gayle Waylander

Gayle Ramona Hempstead Waylander was born in a blizzard on January 4, 1959 in Estherville, Iowa, to Virgil & Lorabelle Hempstead. She was baptized, confirmed and married at Redeemer Lutheran Church.Gayle graduated from Waldorf Junior College and Concordia College. Through her various jobs she shared her gifts of laughter, generosity, welcoming and serving. Gayle lived her life taking care of all the people she knew.At Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp, Gayle met Gregg. They began their adventure together on July 17, 1982. God gave them three amazing children: Joshua Gregg, Emily Ann and Abigail Ann. In spite of loss that could make one crumble, Gayle spent her life laughing, welcoming, cooking and loving. Her sister, Valerie, died before Gayle was born. She suffered 5 miscarriages. Her beloved brother, Monty, died tragically in 2003. Beautiful Emily was snatched away from her in November 2009.In June 2007, cancer invaded Gayle's brain. For the next 39 months Gayle lived her life as though nobody told her. She let the rest of us worry and fight and plan. Those months were filled with grace, courage, wonderful adventures with the people she loved, a laugh that could rise above any noise, and not one moment of doubt that she was created by God, loved by Jesus and certain that her future and the future of those she loved was in God's loving hands. Gayle is survived by her husband Gregg; son and daughter-in-law Joshua and Rachel; daughter Abigail; her parents Virgil and Lorabelle Hempstead; in laws Marlin and Joy Waylander; brothers and sisters-in-law Barb Hempstead, Laurie & Tom Hornung, Gary & Connie Waylander, David & Rhonda Waylander; nieces and nephews Cory, Brad & Hope, Marc, Stu & Heidi, Maggie, Greta, Ross & Cara, Kenny, Phillip, Brad & Ashly, Miles, Tiffani, Whitney, Will, Derek, Jared and Kinsey.On September 29, 2010 Gayle died in peace at 51 years of age. She leaves a community of people blessed with her love and gifts. We now entrust her to the God who created her to Jesus who loves her, named her and claims her as his own.