Harold Joseph Gabel, 88, died Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at ComfortCare Homes of Kansas City, Leawood, Kansas. He was born December 31, 1932 to Melchior and Cecilia (Unrein) Gabel at Munjor, Kansas.
He worked for Hunter Construction of Hays, Kansas as an Equipment Operator before he joined the United States Army during the Korean Conflict at Seoul, Korea and Okinawa, Japan. When he returned to the U.S. he became a brick mason and traveled to many towns in Kansas working on large construction projects, such as the Eisenhower Library in Abilene, Kansas. He settled down in Dodge City, Kansas and formed his business called G&S Masonry serving the community with bricklaying services on residential and commercial projects for over 40 years.
He married Velma Klaus at Antonino, Kansas, on August 11, 1952 and they had five children. He and his wife owned and managed Skateland Fun Center in Dodge City for eleven years. The couple later divorced, but remained very close until Velma’s passing.
He was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Dodge City, Kansas and many years ago also provided stewardship in various capacities at Sacred Heart Cathedral. In addition, he was a charter member and a 4h degree member of the Rev. John Handly Council No. 2955 Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of Foreign Wars Post No. 1714 in Dodge City, Kansas and a member of Kansas Construction Trades Union.
Survivors include a son, Dale Gabel and wife, Carole Corley, Garden City, Kansas; and four daughters, Jacqueline Randle and husband, Clarke, Stillwater, Oklahoma, Vicki Schumacher and husband, Neal, Lenexa, Kansas, Kelley Morrison and husband Paul, Overland Park, Kansas, and DaLanna Nichols, Wamego, Kansas, and her companion, Gary White, as well as eleven grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Ernest Gabel, Dodge City, and Gene Gabel and wife, Rita, Hays, Kansas; one sister, Norma Huser, Vincent, Kansas; and one sister-in-law, Mary Jane Gabel, Wichita, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Donald Gabel, two sisters, Mildred Linenberger, Luella Augustine, his companion Caroline Harms, and one great grandson.
Vigil service followed by Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 7:00 pm Sunday, August 22, 2021 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Monday, August 23, 2021 at the church, with Fr. Rudin Din presiding. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Dodge City, with full military honors by Howard Gotschall VFW Post 1714. Visitation will be Sunday from noon to 4:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City. The family requests that if you will be attending the services to wear a mask.
The family suggests memorials to the Sacred Heart School Endowment or Catholic Community Hospice, 9740 W. 87th St., Overland Park, Kansas 66212 both in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.