Elizabeth Anne “Betty” Gamel, 86, of Festus died Jan. 19, 2020, at Scenic Nursing and Rehab Center in Herculaneum. Mrs. Gamel was the owner/operator of the former Flamingo Cafe, located across Highway 61 from Jefferson Memorial Hospital in Festus, and was well known for her homemade cookies and pies. She loved watching the St. Louis Baseball Cardinals, and was a big fan of the Gonzaga Bulldogs Basketball team. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Crystal City and of the VFW Post 3777 Ladies Auxiliary, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Born Oct. 6, 1933, in Nezperce, Idaho, she was the daughter of the late Louise (Fuchs) and Innocent Schaff.
She is survived by a daughter: Kim (Buddy Shadowens) Gamel of Crystal City; two sons: George (Pam) Gamel of Festus and Tim (Julie) Rissler of Ottawa, Canada; eight grandchildren: James “Jimmy” (Nikki) Weiss, Kelli (Chris Rapp) Weiss, Alicia Shadowens, Chris Shadowens, Cody Rissler, Ashley (Brandon) Tardoli, Tom (Angie) Oshia and Ron (Amy) Oshia; 11 great-grandchildren: Landon Weiss, Lacey Weiss, Brooklynn Rapp, Joselynn Shadowens, Karlie Shadowens, Mackenzie Oshia, Seth Oshia, Veronica Oshia, Kali Oshia, Avery Oshia and Annie Oshia; a sister: Margaret (Harold) Zenner of Culdesac, Idaho; a brother: Ray (the late Jeannie) Schaff; a sister-in-law: Lois Schaff of Lewiston, Idaho; and numerous other family and special friends.
She was preceded in death by a sister: Catherine (the late Norbert) Baerlocher; a brother: George Schaff; his parents-in-law: Paul and Patricia Gamel; and dear friends Stella and Donald Almany and Nelda Kinney.
Visitation is at 4 p.m. and a funeral service is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus, officiated by Deacon Jerry Stoverink. Burial will take place in the Gamel Family Cemetery in Festus at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.