Jacklyn Jean "Jackie" (Petrasek) Gabel

Jacklyn Jean “Jackie” Gabel, 57, Hays, went to be with Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior on July 11, 2016 at the Hays Medical Center.

She was born January 5, 1959 in Oberlin, Kansas the daughter of Melvin and Darlene (Stephens) Petrasek.  She graduated from Hoxie High School and attended college at Fort Hays State University.  She married Arlen Gabel in 1984.  She worked as a ward secretary for thirteen years at Hadley Hospital, for four and a half years in the Urology office of Werth/McDonald, for three and a half years at the Ellis County Clerks office, and for thirteen years at the DeBakey Center at Hays Medical Center as a Health Coordinator.  She was then diagnosed with liver cancer and after treatment was blessed with a liver transplant.  For the next five years she took care of her five wonderful grandchildren.  She was a member of High Plains Baptist Church of Hays, deeply enjoyed decorating for every holiday and season, and loved sending her family and friends greeting cards for every occasion.  She saw the best in everyone she met and anyone who knew her was blessed by her love and kindness.

She is survived by her husband, Arlen, of the home in Hays, her daughter Lindsay Leiker of Hays, her son Clayton Gabel of Hays, five grandchildren; Kali, Danika, Emersyn, Brantlee, and Ryder, three sisters; Conni Baker and husband Gary of Richmond, MO, Pam Bedore and husband Chris of Wamego, KS, and Beckie Best and husband Todd of Hoxie, KS, her father in law Wayne G. Gabel of Hays, brother in law Alan Gabel and wife Dawn of Shawnee, KS, sister in law Aggie McDonald and husband Don of Wentworth, MO, and many loved nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, mother in law Marie Gabel, grandparents William and Anna Petrasek, Levi and Blanche Stephens, Nick and Katie Gabel, and Celestine and Philomena Pfannenstiel.

A celebration of Jackie’s life will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at the North Oak Community Church, 3000 Oak Street, Hays.  Cremation will follow the services.  Visitation will be from 5:00 until 8:00 pm on Wednesday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 10:00 am until service time on Thursday at the church.  Memorials are suggested in Jackie’s memory to the KU Transplant Center or to High Plains Baptist church, in care of the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, KS, 67601.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com