NESS CITY — Harold Dean Gabel, age 90, died on May 7, 2024, at the Ness County Hospital, Ness City, Kan. He was born on July 25, 1933, in Ness City, the son of Alex and Odella (Pfannenstiel) Gabel.  

Harold attended Ness City High School, before serving in the United States Army. He married Frances Leterle on Oct. 8, 1956, in Ness City.  

Upon completion of his duties with the United States Army, Harold and Frances returned to Ness City where they raised their five children and operated the family businesses, Home Oil and the Dairy Bar, in Ness City. Harold was well known around the county for delivering ice, which was stored in large blocks in the icehouse beside Home Oil, milk, gasoline, diesel, and propane. When he wasn’t working Harold could be found coaching baseball or relaxing with his friends at the station. He was also a devote member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Harold is survived by his wife, Frances; daughter, Penny Jones and her husband, Doug, sons, Alex and his wife, Wanda, Kevin and his wife, Shelly, Richard, and Jeff and his wife, Jolene, all of Ness City; his sister, Melody Kay Heizer of Wichita; nine grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Leona Dinges and Florence Kerr and brother, Alex “Jr” Gabel.

A rosary was recited on Saturday, May 11, 2024, 9:30 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church, Ness City followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Burial  followed in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Viewing was held at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ness City, on Friday, May 10, 2024, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. and again from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to the Sacred Heart School. Words of support may be left for the family by writing in the guest book at www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Fitzgerald Funeral Home

207 N Pennsylvania Ave. 

Ness City, KS 67560

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, May 18, 2024