White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

JESUP – Gail Marie Althaus, 75, of Jesup, Iowa, died Friday, October 9, 2026, at UnityPoint Health – Allen Hospital, Waterloo, Iowa.

Gail was born June 14, 1951, in Waterloo, the daughter of Wellington Miller McKeen, Sr. and Mary “Mitzie” Esther (Klein) McKeen. She attended St. Athanasius Catholic School during her elementary years and then Jesup High School, graduating with the class of 1969. On February 9, 1974, she was united in marriage to Frank Joseph “Joe” Althaus at the American Lutheran Church in Jesup. Gail received both her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Leading to her getting her LMHC and launching a career in helping others. Gail had the opportunity to work at different mental health businesses before opening Family Solutions III Inc. Gail continued to run a successful business until her retirement in June of 2025.

Gail gave unconditional love to all who crossed her path. She believed that NO ONE should ever feel unheard, unloved, and uncared for. Gail was kind, compassionate, hardworking, and a fighter. Gail struggled with Muscular Dystrophy but made sure it did not define her as a person. Gail loved the ocean and dolphins, which, if you ever were in Gail's home, you would know her love of the animal by all the dolphin figurines and decorations she had. Gail's bucket list consisted of one thing: to swim with the dolphins. That dream did not happen while she was with us, but her children are making sure she gets that opportunity when some of her ashes are taken to her favorite spot in California.

Gail is survived by one son, Harvey (Patricia) Althaus of South San Francisco, California; six daughters, Julie Woodward of Littleton, Iowa, Cathy (Kevin) Kingery of Knoxville, Iowa, Patty (Ronnie) Youngblut of Jesup, Becky (Cleon) Ohrt of Quasqueton, Iowa, Paula (Eric) Lappe of Andover, Illinois, and Denise (David) Patterson of Jesup, Iowa; 25 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; four sisters, Joanne Good of Jesup, Ruth Kalkbrenner of Jesup, Michele (Terry) Kizzire of Mt. Auburn, Iowa, Dawn McKeen of Jesup; and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joe; one son in infancy, Mitchell McKeen; one brother, Billy McKeen; two sisters, Linda Stoner, Audrey Conerd; and one son-in-law, Mike Woodward.

Celebration of Life will be 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., June 12, 2027, at the First United Methodist Church in Jesup.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Condolences may be placed at www.White-MtHope.com.

White Funeral Home, Jesup, is caring for the family.