Mary Gabrielson, 76, passed away on Jan. 4, at her home in Great Bend. Born on Dec. 26, 1938, in Great Bend, she was the daughter of Carl H. “Dutch” and Helen L. (Edman) Eitel. In 1956, she graduated from Great Bend High School. On Nov. 7, 1964, she was united in marriage to Harold W. Gabrielson at Carson City, Nev. Throughout her life, Mary lived in Oregon, Mountain View and San Jose, Calif., and Las Vegas, Nev. before returning to Great Bend in May of 1990. She worked at Fryberger Mortuary in Great Bend from 1990-1995. In former years she worked many years with the court system signing for the hearing impaired. She loved to travel, play bridge, and attend her class reunions.
Mary was active in the Barton County Historical Society, a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #646 of Great Bend, a past member of the League of Women Voters, member of the Sunset Fuchsia Chapter #163, Order of Eastern Star of Waldport, Ore., and a former member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church at Saratoga, Calif.              
Survivors include one son, Kristan D. Fisher and his wife Shauna, of Granite Bay, Calif.; two daughters, Kimra D. King of Cullman, Ala. and Cynthia D. Palmer and her husband Terry, of Newberg, Ore.; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one brother, Charles E. Eitel of Lemoore, Calif.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold W. Gabrielson on May 23, 1984; and one brother, Johnny Eitel.
According to her wishes, cremation has been chosen. Inurnment will take place at the Great Bend Cemetery at a later date. The family requests that memorials be directed to the Barton County Historical Society or the Golden Belt Humane Society. Online condolences may be left and a complete obituary may be viewed at http://www.charterfunerals.com/obituary/chgb.
 
Funeral arrangements provided by
Charter Funerals*
2115 Washington St.
Great Bend, KS  67530
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Jan. 6, 2015