George Bernard Gabriel

George Gabriel, 92, Spokane, WA, died Friday January 20, 2017 at Moran Vista Senior Living. No memorial or funeral services are planned. A gathering for family and friends will be planned at a later date. George Bernard Gabriel was born June 9, 1924 in Hillsview, South Dakota, one of nine children born to Veronica (Stappler) and Frank Gabriel. After his father’s death in 1937, George worked as farm hand. George married Violet Bauer in Eureka, South Dakota on June 15, 1943, and they worked on many farms until eventually moving to Spokane, Washington in 1956. After working for several building contractors, George started his own business "Gabriel's Painting & Contracting" in 1959 and had an average of six employees. He retired 1986 after being in business for over 25 years. George loved dancing, singing, and playing his accordion, and always enjoyed joking and making people laugh. He is survived by his three children Peggy Gabriel (Jeff Goldman), Donna Gabriel, and Donald Gabriel, all in Spokane; three grandchildren Robert Cork in Fife, Washington, Tonya Mason (Scott) in Spokane, and Christopher Gabriel in San Diego, California; and three great-grandchildren Skylar Cork in Hercules, California, and Trevor and Samantha Mason in Spokane. He is also survived by his sister Tillie Roth in South Dakota, and brother Marcus in Arizona. He was preceded in death by his wife Violet in 1996, his father Frank in 1937, his mother Veronica in 1972, three brothers (Joseph in 1944, Anthony in 1999, and Karl in 2014) and three sisters (Ludwina Brandner in 1997, Christine Strobel in 2007, and Elizabeth Roesler in 2017). The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Moran Vista for their special care of George.