DES MOINES, Iowa - Florence L. Gabel, 101, passed away in Des Moines, Iowa May 23, 2011, after living there nine years. Before that she lived in Hutchinson for 61 years.
Florence was born the third daughter of Dr. Joseph Raymond and Margaret (Frank) Zecha of Ellinwood Jan. 22, 1910. She married Joe Gabel of Great Bend in 1931. He and a newborn daughter preceded her in death along with her parents, a brother and four sisters.
Florence, and husband Joe, owned a family grocery store at 501 E. F from 1950 until 1968, when they retired.
They were members of St. Teresa's Catholic Church from 1940 until Joe's death in 1976 and Florence moved to Des Moines in 2002. She loved singing and playing the piano for her friends.
Survivors include: two sons, Tom (Linda) Gabel of Avondale, Ariz. and Ron (Jo Ann) Gabel of Kerrville, Texas.; three daughters, JoAnn Janzen of Wichita, Kan., Karen Hummel of St. Louis, Mo., and Lenora (Gary) Waller of Des Moines, Iowa; two sisters, Pat (Gene) Johnson and Jennie O'Rillion; several grandchildren, great- grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
Memorials have been established with St. Teresa's Catholic Church, 211 E. 5th St., Hutchinson, KS. 67501. A rosary is scheduled at St. Teresa's Catholic Church Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. with funeral mass to follow at 10 a.m.
Graveside services are at 1:30 p.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery, Great Bend, KS. Old Mission-Heritage Funeral Home, 528 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS. is handling the arrangements.