Donald Gabelt

1936 - 2025

Donald Gabelt

September 7, 1936 - November 16, 2025

Donald Gabelt, age 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 16, 2025. He was born on September 7, 1936, in Columbus, Wisc., to Florian and Irene (Scholl) Gabelt. He attended school in Reedsburg and graduated from high school in Arena, Wisc., where he was known as the All-Star of all sports he played in and everyone called him "Sam".

Don served in the Air Force for six years and was an instructor at Chanute Illinois Air Base. Don married his high school sweetheart Elizabeth "Betty" Weidner in Spring Green, Wisc., on October 24, 1957. After having twin boys, he moved the family closer to home with buying a farm in Spring Green and later bought a farm closer to Reedsburg.

Don farmed, worked, and retired early after 26 years with the Chicago Northwestern Railway. Don was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Don and his wife Betty volunteered many years for St. Vincent de Paul. Many will remember him and his close friends Evan Tourdot and Tom Scanlon, doing Thursday night donation pickups in the old Viking Village parking lot.

Don also loved to tinker in his shop and ran his own small appliance repair shop for many years. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching sporting events especially ones that his grandkids or great grandkids participated in, and spending time with family and friends. He will be dearly missed by so many and will cherish all the memories and stories we have.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Gabelt; his parents, Florian Gabelt and Irene Craker; stepfather, Warren Craker; sisters, Leona (Farber) Wells and Milly Gabelt; brothers-in-law, Marlen Farber, Phil Wells, Charlie Weidner, and Alois Liegel; sister-in-law, Marita Weidner; and close family friend, Evan Tourdot, as well as many other family and friends.

Don is survived by his sons, Donald (Judy) Gabelt of Baraboo and Daniel Gabelt of Reedsburg; grandchildren, Jennifer (Anthony) Ebert of Reedsburg and Amber (Nick) Stelsel of Waupun; great-grandchildren, Andrew, Matthew, and Hailey Ebert, Letty and soon to come baby, Lainey Stelsel; sisters-in-law, Monica (Jerry) Waletzko of Reedsburg, Karolyn (Jim) Pulvermacher of McFarland, and Mary Liegal of Spring Green; many nieces, nephews and close family friends, Tom (Kay) Scanlon and Betty Tourdot.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Donald will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Reedsburg. Father Luke Powers will be the celebrant. Visitation will be on Thursday from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. at the church. Burial with military honors will follow the service at Calvary Cemetery in Reedsburg.