Gail Margaret Mathews, age 89, of Cohasset, MN passed away Wednesday, December 13, 2023 surrounded by her family.

Gail was born October 10, 1934 in Grand Rapids, MN to Tom and Shirley Staebler. Gail loved raising her children in rural Cohasset with her husband Roy of 69 years. She loved working as a waitress for 30 years at The Harbor, she often said if it were not for her health she would never have retired.

Gail married the love of her life two weeks after graduation. They loved to travel with family and friends, especially a couple trips to Branson, MO. One of Gail's favorite hobbies was bowling, she never seemed to miss a week, she even had a trophy for perfect attendance. She loved decorating her yard with ceramic yard ornaments that she made in her ceramic classes. Gail had a green thumb; she enjoyed her time in the garden and had some beautiful yellow lady slippers. Gail was such a people person that she had so many requests for her as a waitress every night. Many people considered her to be their favorite waitress. She had beautiful black hair that she would decorate with a hairclip for every holiday or special occasion. The Mathews house was a fun place for many neighborhood kids, Gail always made sure that everyone had something to eat. Gail made the best chicken wild rice hotdish. She considered raising her children with Roy to be one of her proudest moments.

Gail is preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Shirley (Graham) Staebler, her husband Roy and eldest son, Gary Mathews.

Gail leaves behind her sister's Marian Champlin, Kay Kromy; brother James Staebler; children, Ron (Wendy) Mathews, Marianne (Don) Coatsworth, and Greg (Wendy) Mathews; grandchildren, Scott (Sophie Bolstad) Mathews, Holly (Jeremy) Gmahl, Coty (Caitlyn) Coatsworth, and Matt (Megan) Coatsworth; step-grandchildren, Shawn Heinen, Jason (Jayde) Heinen, Sara (Matt) Lundin, and Holly (Sam) Metzgar; great grandchildren, Hunter, Hudson, Hayden, Cooper, Benson, Maeve, Duke, Zoey, and Roy II; and his step-grandchildren, Kaydin, Brielle, Summer, Kruz, and Theo.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Rowe Funeral Home, Grand Rapids, MN with a memorial service to follow at 12:00 Noon.  Pastor Mary Shideler will officiate.

A special thank you to Diamond Willow and St Croix Hospice for their care and love showed toward Gail over the last year.