Abels, Gordon "Gordy" L. 1946-2016

ABELS, JANSSEN, VANRIESEN

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting (email)
Date: 9/28/2016 at 13:02:27

Mr. Gordon Abels, age 69, of Orange City, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, September 11, 2016, at the Orange City Area Health System.

There will be a celebration of his life on Friday, September 16, at 10:30am, at the American Reformed Church in Orange City. The Revs. Michael and Elizabeth Hardeman will officiate. Interment will follow the service at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City.

Visitation will be after 4:00pm on Thursday, with the family present from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the CHURCH. Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Gordon Lee was born on October 21, 1946, in Sibley, the son of Delbert C. and Lois Jean (Janssen) Abels. He was raised in rural Sibley and graduated from the Sibley High School. He also attended the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy at Camp Dodge in Des Moines. From May 20, 1966, to May 19, 1969, he served in the military police of the United States Army.

On July 3, 1970, he married Mary Ann Van Riesen at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon. He was a police officer in Sheldon and a Deputy Sheriff for Sioux County. For most of their lives, they lived in Orange City, where he served as Chief of Police from January 22, 1973, to May 20, 2002. In retirement, he drove truck and was a certified Smith Driver Trainer for G. C. C. Ready-Mix in Orange City.

Mr. Abels was a member of the American Reformed Church.

Over the years, he enjoyed boating, snowmobiling, vacationing in Branson, Missouri, and New Orleans, Louisiana, and shopping . (Yes, he liked to shop.) His main hobby was his flower garden and making flower boxes for relatives and friends. He looked forward to riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, decorating the outside of his house for Christmas, finding creative ways of repairing broken items, and watching his beloved Nebraska Corn Huskers games and the New Orleans Saints football team.

“Gordy” enjoyed life, especially when he was with his children and grandchildren and attending their events. They affectionately called him “Boppa”.

Survivors include his wife of more than 46 years; a daughter and her husband, Gina and Jason Jacobsma, of Sibley; a son and his wife, Nathan and Andrea Abels, of Sergeant Bluff; five grandchildren, Jaden Abels, Kaeden Abels, Alyssa Jasobsma, Kaeley Abels, and Breanna Jacobsma; and his mother, Lois Abels, of Sibley.

He is also survived by Mary’s four brothers and three sisters and their spouses, Evelyn and Pete Kroese, of Sanborn; Merrill Van Riesen, of Bellflower, California; Art and Tootie Van Riesen, of Orange City; Henrietta and Ray Schnurr, of Sanborn; Dean and Kelly Van Riesen, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Marv and Deanna Van Riesen and Dorothy and Herm Schwarz, all of Sheldon; as well as many uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his father; his sister, Joann Abels; Mary’s parents, Wessell and Margaret Van Riesen; and a nephew, Doug Kroese.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the meditation garden at the American Reformed Church.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.