Gayle was born November 21, 1956 in Girard, Kansas the daughter of Harry and Donna (Allai) Strukel.  Gayle worked as an RN at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital.  In her spare time, and after retirement, Gayle enjoyed playing slots at the casino, antique shopping and KU men's basketball.  She could spend hours at the slot machines, or finding just the right piece to add to one of her antique creations.  But, whenever the KU Jayhawks were being televised she could be found watching and coaching from her chair.  On the occasion that she was lucky enough to get tickets to a game, she could not have been more happy, or excited.  Throw in getting an autograph, or picture with a player, and she was on cloud nine!  Gayle loved celebrating all holidays-especially Christmas and Halloween.  She had a caring heart, and never turned away a person in need.

Gayle was preceded in death by her mother, and husband, Walter Neville Jeffress.

Survivors include her father, Harry Strukel, brother John (Lisa) Strukel, companion of ten years Brian Stanley, and his daughters; Tara Lee Stanley and Brianna Marie Stanley, Brian's grandson Weston Stanley Mercer, her niece Ashley (Patrick) Martin, her nephew Eric (Paige) Strukel, and the absolute light of her life, her grandnieces and nephew; Macie, Marlie and Maggie Martin, Bradey and Breckyn Strukel.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri and Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, Girard, Kansas.