Gail Prior

Gail Prior, 73, of Marengo, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 4, 2021 in Marengo, Iowa. Per the wishes of Gail and her family, cremation rites have been accorded and a private burial will take place at the Iowa Veterans Home Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation. Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Gail and her family. For additional questions or condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Born Gail Welinski on August 4, 1947 in Long Beach, California, she was the daughter of Alphonse J. and Emily (McGough) Welinski. Gail grew up in California, graduating from Santa Ana High School. Gail was united in marriage to the love of her life, James “Jim” Prior. Together they drove semi-trucks, traveling over a million miles as a team and visited every state apart from Hawaii and Alaska. She was a skilled baker, making everything from pies to breads and her famous cinnamon rolls. Gail loved her dogs and celebrating the holidays with her family. Gail was a joy to be around and will be deeply missed by her family, including her sons: Daniel (Tammy) Prior of Dayton, Texas and Matthew (Sheila) Stevens of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 13 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; her siblings: Theresa Kelsey of Phoenix, Arizona and David Welinski of Mount Vernon, Iowa; family members Jeremy Davis and his daughter Emma, and her lovable shih tzu, Chase. In death, she is reunited with her beloved husband, Jim; her son, Jay Robert Stevens; her parents; and her brothers: Alan, Patrick, and John Welinski.