Elizabeth "Joan" Gabel

Elizabeth “Joan” Gabel was born on July 5, 1935, in Rocky Ford, Colo.  She lived her life to the fullest, passing on to her eternal promise on April 29, 2026.  

Joanie spent her early years in the Arkansas Valley, until her family moved to the pickle dock south of Fort Lupton in 1947. Joanie caught the eye and heart of a local farmer from behind the counter at the Deason’s Drug soda fountain.  She graduated from Fort Lupton High School in 1953. 

Phil and Joan were married at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Platteville on January 27, 1955. To this union, they welcomed two onery sons and three adorable daughters.  Their home, filled with seven Gabels, was literally and figuratively a full house, with two kings and three queens.

Joanie delighted in filling her days at Smiley Acres by caring for her family.  She was truly Phil’s partner and help mate in every endeavor. Once all of the kids were in school, she started her career with the Fort Lupton School District.  Mrs. G was the beloved middle school secretary for many years before serving as the administrative assistant to the Community Education and Transportation departments. She embodied the perfect balanceof kindness, graciousness, and firmness to afford students and faculty the opportunity to be their very best selves.   She retired from the district in the fall of 1997.   Always lovely, Joanie was also a Mary Kay Cosmetic sales consultant for nearly 50 years.

Joanie’s greatest joy was her family. She embraced her titles of wife, Mom, Grandma, Gram, Granny Great and, most recently, Great Granny Great.  Phil and Joan rarely missed the chance to support and cheer their kids and each subsequent generation on in sports, music concerts, plays, and livestock events.  Joanie supported her family through her final days.

Joan was a Fort Lupton icon, seen tootling around town in her little silver Bug. She was a 70-year member of the Saint Williams Catholic Church, where she volunteered and served the parish in many different capacities.  Her family relished the opportunity to hear her angelic voice in the choir. She was active in the Fort Lupton Community Center, where she played Bridge, enjoyed the weekly Senior Luncheons, Senior trips and special events.  Joanie also served as a committee member for the Field of Honor.  She was affectionately described as kind, loving, gracious, welcoming, radiant, and beautiful, but above all,Joanie truly lived her life as a Godly woman.

Joanie is survived by her children, Steve (Audrey) Gabel, Kim (Ron) Gabel-Grinstead, Carol (Troy) Goodwine, Linda (Doug) Kudrna, and daughter-in-law, Shelly Gabel; 12 grandchildren, Eric, Todd, Chad, Case, Christie, Bret, Drew, Kaitlyn, Cody, Tucker, Kenzie and Kellen; 20 great-grandchildren; twin great-great granddaughters; sister, Judy Ceretto; sister-in-law, Donna Thurtell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Philip Thomas Gabel; son, Philip James (Jim) Gabel; father, Elmer Royal; mother, Bette Ives; father-in-law Adam Gabel; andmother-in-law, Geneva Gabel.

A mass of Christian burial will take place at St. Williams Catholic Church in Fort Lupton on May 14. Rosary will be recited at 10 a.m., mass at 10:45 a.m., followed by a reception at the St. Williams Church Hall.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to St. Williams Catholic Church or Fort Lupton Community Recreation Center’s Senior Program.

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