Gayle Leslie Trede, 75, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, passed away on Sunday, October 19th, 2025 following a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Gayle was born in Davenport on October 23, 1949, the youngest of four sisters to Woodrow and Dorothy (Behm) Trede.
Following graduation from Davenport West High School and Marycrest College, Gayle began an extensive career in public service as a librarian. He first employment was for the City of Davenport, where she traveled through the neighborhoods in the “Book Mobile”. In 1984, Gayle moved to Mt. Pleasant, to assume the role of Library Director of the Mt. Pleasant Public Library in October of 1984. She served her community until her retirement on October 31, 2012.
Gayle was very proud of the fact that under her watch, the Mt. Pleasant Public Library expanded from its historic but outgrown building to its present location in the former Mt. Pleasant High School building (now the Mt. Pleasant Civic Center), where it remains today.
Gayle’s past times included reading, traveling and “shop-‘til-you-drop” weekends with her sisters. She was well known for her “mile-high” rolls.
Gayle was preceded in death by her beloved parents, sisters Sandy Jamison of Columbus Junction, Vicki (Phil) Ealy of Des Moines, and brother-in-law Jack Hendedrickson of Grinnell. Those left to honor her memory include her sister, Dona Hendrickson of Grinnell, brothers-in-law Frank Jamison of Columbus Junction and Phil Ealy of Des Moines and nephews and nieces Mike Jamison, Scot Hendrickson, Michele Christiansen, Megan Ealy and Amanda Ealy.
The family extends a heartfelt “thank-you” to the staff at Bickford Memory Care of Burlington and Southeast Iowa Regional Home Health and Hospice.
Friends may call from 12 Noon to 7 PM on Friday, October 24 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The family will not be present. Cremation rites have been accorded, and burial will be held at a later date beside her parents at Pine Hill Cemetery in Davenport.
Those considering an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers may direct memorials to the Mt. Pleasant Public Library. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com