Gabriel Jase Applegate – the son of Dustin Lee and Teresa Ann (Coughlin) Applegate – was born September 20, 2012, in Omaha, NE. He was baptized at St. Peter’s Church in Council Bluffs and was a student at Riverside. Gabriel left this world on April 9, 2023, at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA, at the age of 10 years, 6 months, and 20 days.
Gabriel enjoyed participating in many activities. He loved playing for his school’s soccer team; running alongside his brother as a teammate, while being coached by his Mom and Aunt. In the summer, he was a member of the Avoca Swim Team; during the winter – he was a Flying Shark for the Atlantic swim team! Keeping true to his gentle nature, Gabriel loved and watched over all living creatures. He wanted to be a veterinarian at the zoo when he grew up! Gabriel weighed heavy on the ornery side, but he was a soft-hearted boy who wanted everyone to feel loved and protected. He was full of love for everyone around him, but mostly for his baby sister and big brother. His favorite place to relax was his grandparents’ pond where he could go fishing, and he could hardly wait for family vacations at the Lake or Ocean. There he could play with his cousins or goof around with his aunts and uncles. Every year, he also looked forward to spending the week at the East Pottawattamie County Fair. Welding Projects with Dad, and 4H projects with Grandma were his go-to ways to prepare for this! Gabriel’s favorite hobbies were to cook, play Pokémon and to care for all of his animals – all of which he and his siblings named, unsurprisingly. No words can describe the pain left to replace his absence; Gabriel’s heart is bigger than the sky.
He is preceded in death by his great grandparents: Maxine and Ed Coughlin, William and Catherine Epperson, LaDonna Applegate, and Dalene Howard; his uncle Joshua Applegate; and his cousin Matthew Applegate.
He is survived by his parents Dustin and Teresa Applegate of Oakland, IA; his brother Maximus Applegate of Oakland, IA; his sister Anna Applegate of Oakland, IA; his grandparents Dennis and Jean Coughlin of Council Bluffs, IA, and David and Sheila Applegate of Oakland, IA; his aunts and uncles: Dr. Andrew Coughlin and wife Jennifer of Papillion, NE, James Coughlin and wife Nina of Omaha, NE, Catherine Gillan and husband Austin of Council Bluffs, IA, Derek Applegate and wife Jillian of Oakland, IA, and Collin Applegate and wife Cassie of Oakland, IA; his cousins: Lucas, Claire, Julia, Ariana, Maverick, James Jr., Noah, Audrie, and Jackson; his great grandparents, Warren Howard, and Don Applegate; and many other relatives and friends.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at the Riverside Community High School. Interment will be in the Oaklawn Cemetery at Oakland. The visitation with the family will be on Friday evening from 5-8 PM, at the Riverside High School. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Gabriel’s name. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is assisting the family.
