Gayle Marie Stuebe

Gayle Walter Stuebe, age 88, left this life peacefully at home on March 13, 2024. Gayle was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, an educator, a businesswoman, world traveler, bridge player, tennis player, and friend to her many associates. She was born at Indianapolis Methodist Hospital, grew up in Southport, Indiana, graduated from Southport High School and enrolled at Indiana University. Her education at IU was interrupted when she left school at the end of her sophomore year to marry William Stuebe from Danville, Illinois. Bill was a graduate of General Motors Institute and worked for GM in Danville. While living in Danville, the couple welcomed daughters Suzanne, (1958) and Michelle (1959) to the family. The family moved to Saginaw, Michigan in 1960 where son Matthew was born in 1966. Another move with GM took place in 1972 with the family relocating to Bedford, Indiana and later to Bloomington in 1975.

When the family returned to Indiana, Gayle immediately re-enrolled at IU, and went on to earn a B.S. in Telecommunications and a Masters in Adult Education. She was appointed to the Board of AEONS, a prestigious advisory group that reported directly to the President of the University. While earning her Masters, Gayle worked in the School of Continuing Education. After graduation, she was appointed as the head of Continuing Education for Women and was instrumental in helping scores of women return to IU and gain employment after graduation. Gayle was the founder and director of Leadership Bloomington, an organization sponsored collaboratively by the University and the City of Bloomington, whose purpose is to educate future business leaders on how the University, city government, and community work together. She was at the helm of this organization for over ten years.

In 1988, Gayle and a former colleague left IU and formed Advanced Strategies, a private company specializing in communications and strategies in the workplace. Their company served small clients and major organizations alike across the United States and abroad. In addition to in-person training, they developed training products such as word games and card games for self-instruction. The company existed for 17 years before the partners retired in 2005.

Gayle volunteered after retirement serving on several Boards. She was a member of the City Parks and Recreation Foundation Board. She was also a member of the City Pedestrian and Safety Commission, and she spearheaded the effort to install bike racks on city busses. She was a major advocate for bike trails and bike safety in Monroe County. A die-hard Hoosier fan, Gayle could be found at every home football and basketball game.

She loved to travel. She would go anywhere at the drop of a hat. She visited all 50 states and all of the continents except Antarctica. She visited over 70 countries, including locations such as Tibet, Russia, Siberia, Mongolia, Buton and Laos.

Gayle is survived by her husband, Bill and three children, Suzi and Matt both in Bloomington, and daughter, Miki and son-in-law Doug, living in Spokane, WA. Also surviving are daughter-in-law, Samantha, grandsons Antionio and Benicio, granddaughter Erin and great granddaughter, Elle.

Gayle will be remembered as a community minded, fun-loving friend with a quick wit that is missed by all who knew her. The family asks that those who wish to make a contribution in her memory consider the Monroe County YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington. The family is planning a small memorial service for the spring.

A special thank you to WellCare, Koshie, and her team.