Ron Gabbert

Ron Gabbert, age 66, of Wood Lake, passed away January 23, 2013, at his home in Wood Lake. Services will be held Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. from St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wood Lake, with burial at a later date. Visitation will be held Friday, January 25 from 4 to 7 p.m. with a Parish Prayer Service at 6:45 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at the church. Online condolences may be placed at www.sunsetfuneralassociation.com. The Sunset Funeral and Cremation Association of Echo and Wabasso are in charge of the arrangements. Ron Gabbert was born on September 13, 1946 to Albert and Irene (Bommersbach) Gabbert in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. He grew up in the Wood Lake area and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He attended and graduated from the Wood Lake Public School District and continued his education for one year at the Willmar Community College in Willmar, MN. On October 29, 1966, Ron was united in marriage to Laurie Sickman at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Posen Township. They made their home in the Wood Lake area where they remained his entire life. Ron worked at the Wood Lake Implement until 1971. In April of that year, Ron started working at the Equity Elevator and Trading Company where he worked for over forty years until his retirement on October 29, 2011. Ron was an active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wood Lake, being involved with the finance committee and cemetery board. He was also an active member of his community where he was on the Wood Lake Fire Department for twenty years, and was chief for fourteen of those years. He was also past president of the West Central Fireman’s Association and Wood Lake Community Club. Ron enjoyed deer hunting, drives in his pickup, collecting antique signs, collecting new currency, including quarters, fifty cent pieces, pennies, and five dollar bills, watching any Minnesota sports teams, helping Laurie with her honey-do list, and loved to spend time with his family. Ron is survived by his wife, Laurie of Wood Lake; three sons, Mike (Carey) Gabbert of Atlanta, GA, Matt (Jill) Gabbert of Hartford, SD, and Mitch Gabbert of Wood Lake; six grandchildren, Cameron and Avery, Nicholas, Seth, and Kaia, and Ryelan; mother, Irene of Hackensack; one sister, Marilyn Gabbert of Hackensack; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends. His father, Albert Gabbert, preceded him in death. Blessed be his memory.