Gabel, Eldon "Fritz" 1929-2013
GABEL, LANGELETT, HASENBANK
Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/16/2013 at 19:04:53
Eldon "Fritz" Gabel, 83, of Akron, died Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013, at his home in Akron surrounded by his family.
Eldon Ernest Gabel was born Oct. 13, 1929, on the family farm in Preston Township, rural Plymouth County, the son of Ernest and Minnie (Langelett) Gabel. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Preston Township, rural Akron. He attended country school in Preston Township and one year of high school at Central High School in Le Mars until he stayed home to help his family on the farm.
He was united in marriage to Viola Hasenbank on Nov. 22, 1953, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Akron. They farmed in Preston Township for many years. In 1988, they moved to Akron. Fritz continued to farm until his health began to fail.
Fritz was a lifelong member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, having held several church leadership positions through the years. He served as the head funeral usher for many years.
He served on the Southern Sioux Rural Water Board for more than 20 years.
He and Vi enjoyed traveling locally and abroad. He enjoyed a three-week mission trip to Tanzania through the S.T.E.M.M. program in Sioux City.
Through the years, Fritz enjoyed participating in bowling leagues in Akron. Family, farming, and his John Deere tractors were Fritz's greatest joys. He also enjoyed reading, especially his farming magazines. Fritz enjoyed tractor pulling with his antique John Deere tractors.
He loved the times spent visiting with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He and Vi supported all of them in their activities and events.
Recently, Fritz helped with fundraising for the new Akron Care Center. He will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife of more than 59 years, Vi, of Akron; his children: Ernie (Deb) Gabel, of rural Akron; Michaelene (Duane) Behrens, of Sioux City; Carl (Lori) Gabel, of Le Mars; Sharon (Carl) Harry, of Hawarden; Carrie (Curt) Frerichs, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Mary (John) Wilken, of rural Akron; 18 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; a "special" grandson, Colt Witt; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Donald and Virgil Gabel; a sister: LaVonne Rolfs; a grandson: Aaron Minor; a great-grandson: Alan Minor; and two half-brothers and two half-sisters.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Preston Township, rural Akron. The Rev. Sarah Nye and Minister Joel Nye will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be after 4 p.m. Tuesday with the family present after 5:30 p.m., and a prayer service at 7 p.m., all at Carlsen Funeral Home - Schroeder Chapel in Akron. Visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Fritz's name to the Akron Care Center Building Fund.
Plymouth Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen