Eleanor A. “Ellie” Gabel, 84, Hays, died Monday, April 29, 2024 at HaysMed.
She was born October 31, 1939 on the family farm in Gove, the daughter of Carl W. and Olive E. (Summers) Katt. She was a graduate of Gove High School with the class of 1957. In 1961, she graduated from St. Anthony School of Nursing and as a registered nurse, she worked at St. Anthony Hospital, Baxter Travenol, and at Fort Hays State University Student Health. On October 12, 1963, she was united in marriage to Gerald J. “Gary” Gabel at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays and they celebrated 60 years of marriage. Together, Gary and Ellie owned and operated Gabel’s Bakery and the Bijou and Red Coat restaurants. Her memberships included St. Joseph Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella Circle #254, RN Club, and the Cedar Bluff Red Hat Ladies. She enjoyed doing word searches, playing Solitaire, and watching Wheel of Fortune and Bold and the Beautiful. Ellie was a wonderful cook who was known for her delicious German food including liverwurst and zitter. Gary and Ellie enjoyed gardening and canning, camping, being at Cedar Bluff Lake, and their home was always a welcoming place where family and friends could enjoy food, drink, conversation, and much laughter.
Survivors include her husband Gary of Hays, a brother, Ron Katt and wife Karol of Victoria, a sister, Ruth Porter and husband Norman of Johnson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant sister.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, May 3, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Richard Daise officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A Nightingale Tribute will be at 5:30 pm, a Daughters of Isabella rosary will be at 6:00 pm, followed by a vigil service at 6:30, all on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the FHSU Department of Nursing, St. Joseph Church, or to the Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute. Condolences and memories of Ellie may be left for Ellie’s family at www.haysmemorial.com