Chester Strobel

Chester Dale Strobel, 91, of Abilene, went to be with Jesus on December 1, 2025. He was born on October 18, 1934 in Venturia, North Dakota to Arthur and Margaret (Schnabel) Strobel. He grew up on the farm, helping his family with all that went with farm life.

Chester graduated from Wishek High School in 1951 then spent 3 years teaching in a one room elementary school, after which he went to the N.D. State Normal and Industrial College and received his certificate in 1955, then achieved his Bachelors of Science from the State Teacher's College in Ellensdale, ND. He went to the North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls, SD, receiving his Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1964. He also earned a Master of Art degree from the U of Nebraska in 1970 and even continued getting grad credit hours from K-State in 1990.

In 1957 he was drafted into the Army and was stationed at Fort Riley until his honorable discharge in 1959. It was during this time that he met and married his wife, Elaine Eisele, with the wedding being held at Ebenezer Baptist Church on August 7, 1959. He and Elaine had four children.

Chester began his full time calling as a pastor in 1964, serving at Westside Baptist Church in Beatrice, NE. He also pastored churches in Redmond, WA; Bison, KS; and Hope, KS. After retiring in 2002, Chester and Elaine became the Assistant Superintendent and Matron at Brown Memorial Home in Abilene, serving there for 14 years.

During his life, Chester had many other work experiences from working the fields with a team of horses to driving school bus; he also served people in many ministry capacities such as directing Bible camp and being chaplain for the Civil Air Patrol. The list of jobs, service and adventures in Chester's life is long and he did it all with a desire to serve his Lord and Savior and to serve the people God brought across his path.

He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, leaving a legacy of faithfulness to Christ and love for people. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Charles and his beloved wife, Elaine.

Those left behind to rejoice in and mourn his departure are his four children, Susan (Gary) Weimar of Peculiar, MO; Steve (Wendy) Strobel of High Point, NC; Sandra (Wayne) Anderson of Abilene and Sheila Waldrop,of Abilene. Also 14 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, sister Darlene Frueh of Sioux Falls, SD, nephews and nieces and many friends.

Funeral service will be at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Abilene, on Friday, December 12th, 2025 at 2:00, with burial following and visiting/refreshments after. Visitation will be on Thursday, December 11th, from 5-7p.m. at Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home in Abilene. Donations in Chester's memory can be made to Ebenezer Baptist Church or JC Pregnancy Center(Junction City).