Mary Frances ‘Dolly’ Gabel 1926-2011
WARRENTON, Mo. — Mary Frances “Dolly” Gabel, 84, passed away Jan. 23, 2011 at her residence at Warrenton, Mo.
She was the 13th child of Jacob and Agatha (Leiker) Gabel, born July 27, 1926 in Great Bend. When her brothers and sisters saw her they said, “she looked like a little dolly,” hence her lifelong nickname. 
She attended St. Rose Catholic Grade School and Great Bend High School. She then went to the Dominican Sisters’ Convent in Great Bend where she took her final vows to become Sister Mary Gertrude. Of course, to all her family, friends, fellow Sisters, and even her students, she was always Sister Dolly.  She was a teacher for several years across Kansas in Dubuque, Nashville, Larned, Great Bend, Hutchinson, Wichita, Liberal, and Schulte, as well as for a time in Pueblo, Colo. 
She, and lifelong friend and fellow nun Frances Kerschen, retired from teaching in 1987 and lived in Wichita. They helped at their local Catholic parish as Sacristans spending many hours with the care of the chapel, the flowers, and any other ways in which they could serve the church and their neighbors. 
Due to poor health, Dolly moved to St. Louis where she spent the remainder of her years with her niece, Jean Wegner, and her husband Bill. Despite the loss of her voice to a stroke, Dolly continued to make new friends with her wonderful personality, sense of humor, and the love that naturally emanated from her. She joined her loved ones with God and is no doubt still watching over those she left behind.
Dolly is survived by a sister, Odella Gardner, Casper, Wyo., and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by four brothers: Jake Gabel, Jr., Alex Gabel, Frank Gabel, and Joe Gabel; and seven sisters: Pauline Leiker, Rose Melcher, Dorothy McIntire, Clara Leiker, Germaine Kreutzer, Ann Colegrove and Katherine Godfrey.
A memorial Mass for Dolly is scheduled at 3:30 pm, Friday June 17 at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Inurnment will be at Great Bend Cemetery, beside her parents. Memorials are requested to American Cancer Society, in care of the Bryant Funeral Home.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS, 67530
Great Bend Tribune (Kan.) June 12, 2011