Ellen Gabriel

Ellen (Mitzel) Gabriel, 88, Moorhead, MN, formerly of Bismarck, ND, died December 10, 2018. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am Friday, February 1, 2019, at Church of the Ascension, 1825 S. 3rd St., Bismarck, with Rev. Msgr. James Braaten officiating. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. There will be no visitation, cremation has taken place. Ellen was born August 4, 1930, to Jacob and Mary Eva (Silbernagel) Mitzel on a farm near Hague, ND. On October 1, 1948, she married Ambrose (Gabe) Gabriel in Hague, ND. They farmed near Hauge until 1954 when they moved to Bismarck. After raising their children, Ellen worked at Midway Furniture, then helped Gabe manage the Bismarck Warehouse Grocery and later the Dickinson Warehouse Grocery. Before retiring, Ellen worked as a custodian at Bismarck State College. Ellen was a fun-loving person and fun to be around. She was spontaneous and witty, loved music and dancing. It was not unusual to catch her dancing to Polka Time or the Lawrence Welk Show. She claimed that was her way of getting her daily exercise. Ellen liked to play Pinochle. She enjoyed helping Gabe do remodeling jobs for their many close friends. Ellen was an amazing seamstress and an exceptional organizer. She loved cooking and baking her German recipes and sharing her delicious food. Ellen is survived by her daughter, Jody (Jim) Drayton; daughter, Sandee Gabriel; son, Darius (Pam) Gabriel; son, Ken (Adele) Gabriel; daughter, Cynthia Schwindt; 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gabe; son, Kevin; her parents; nine sisters and five brothers.