Rev. David E. Gabriel

Rev. David E. Gabriel

1934 - 2026

Rev. David E. Gabriel, age 91, passed peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on March 29, 2026, at The Pillars Assisted Living Facility in Grand Rapids, MN.

He was born November 12, 1934, in Duluth, Minnesota to Chalvar and Birdie Gabriel. David graduated from Denfeld High School in Duluth in 1953. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS degree in agriculture in 1960. He served in the US Army 1955 - 1957, achieving the rank of Corporal. After a short career as a cattle buyer for Hormel and Armour, he attended seminary and graduated with Masters Degrees in Greek and Biblical Theology from Dubuque Theological Seminary in 1969. He devoted his life to a full time Christian ministry for over 40 years, first as a pastor in Woodman, WI and then several churches in the North Woods area of Minnesota, continuing to provide Sunday pulpit supply to local area churches for many years after retirement. He also served as American Legion chaplain for several years.

His hobbies included woodworking, any outdoor activity such as fishing and hunting and anything involving trees. He owned a private sawmill for custom lumber sawing for many years. He also loved to watch the Green Bay Packers and remembers them playing a preseason game at the Denfeld High School stadium in Duluth when he was a child. But perhaps his favorite pastime was watching his grandchildren participate in all the activities they loved. Many a mile was driven and hours spent cheering and sitting on those oh so comfy bleachers - all with a big smile under the mustache that gave him the most loved name of "Grandpa with the mustache."

He married Carol Jacobson of Jacobson, Minnesota (he loved saying that) on March 30, 1957. He is survived by his wife Carol of Grand Rapids, Minnesota and his 5 children Ruth (Ron) Kaczor of St. Cloud, Minnesota, Stephen (Lisa) Gabriel of Dixon, Illinois, Rebecca (Joel) Ploeger of Fargo, North Dakota, Rachel (Robb) Rydzynski of Dixon, Illinois and Aaron Gabriel of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has 20 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren (with more on the way). He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Miriam Storck and his brother Earl Gabriel.

A Celebration of David's life will be held Saturday, April 4, 2026, with visitation at 10:00 AM at Bigfork Presbyterian Church, Bigfork, MN, and a service to follow at 11:00 AM. The Reverend Ray Cole will officiate. The rendering of military honors will immediately follow the service at church. David will be laid to rest at Ball Bluff Cemetery, Jacobson, MN.

Arrangements are with Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.