Dolores Eldred Gabrielsen

1929 - 2024

Dee was born to a Norwegian immigrant family in Mount Vernon, WA, and grew up in Seattle, the eldest of Olga and Axel Berg's five children.

When Dee was 10, she met 13-year-old Luther (Lou) Gabrielsen, after his family moved to Seattle and his father became pastor of Denny Park Lutheran. For several years, Dee was just a pesky little girl who went to Lou's church, but that didn't last, and they started dating during WWII. Lou and Dee went to PLU together, married in 1950, and began their 61-year marriage with a move to St. Paul, MN, where Lou attended Luther Seminary.

After the War, the newly formed Air Force was recruiting chaplains, and Lou signed on. Lou and Dee enjoyed a military life that took them to Texas, Japan, Georgia, Spain, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Alaska, and Washington. Along the way, they welcomed three daughters -- Debbie, Bobbi, and Jennifer -- into their family. When Lou retired from the military in 1977, he and Dee continued to serve the church for another 15 years at Marysville's Bethlehem Lutheran.

Our mom loved the life she shared with our dad and was never happier than when she was surrounded by family at our Lake Cavanaugh cabin. Dee was Poppy's common sense, and a guiding light to her family. Grounded in faith, and more than a little Norwegian grit, Grandma Dee overcame life's challenges with dignity and grace.

Dee died peacefully at home. She is survived by her daughters Debbie (and Dave) Miles, Bobbi Miles, Jennifer (and Mike) Lally, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and her sisters Aileen Miller and Alyce Isaacson. She was preceded in death by Lou, brothers Jerry Berg and Bernie Berg, sister-in-law Marion Holum, and son-in-law Paul Miles.

Committal is at Evergreen Washelli, 11111 Aurora Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98133, on Friday, October 18, at 2:00 pm. A Memorial Service is to be at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 9320 Meadow Way, Everett, WA 98208, on Saturday, October 19, at 2:00 pm. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Dee's memory to Mt. Gilead Bible Camp, https://www.mtgilead.org/donate; Lake Cavanaugh Volunteer Fire Department, c/o Carol Pletz, 33986 North Shore Drive, Mount Vernon, WA 98274; or, the church or charity of your choice.