Godfrey Gabriel

Godfrey Gabriel, age 93, of rural Antigo, died peacefully on May 23, 2023, at Langlade Aspirus Hospital. “Gabe” was born in Milwaukee on Christmas Day, 1929. His parents were Jacob and Alice (Steffens) Gabriel. Most of his youth was spent in Lena, WI where he went to school, graduating from Lena High School in 1947. He attended the U. of WI at Madison for one year, then transferred to the university at Oshkosh, receiving his B.A. degree in English and history education.

After a brief teaching job back in Lena, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard and received basic training at Cape May, New Jersey. He was stationed at Sault Ste. Marie, MI before being transferred to Point Betsie Lighthouse near Frankfort, in lower Michigan.

On March 8, 1952, Gabe was united in marriage to Elaine Viestenz in Oconto, WI. Survivors include his wife Elaine, sons Roger (Pamela), from Mesa, AZ, David, Antigo, daughter Laura (Gordon) Lenneman, River Falls, and son Barry (Jodele), Hudson, WI. Grand children include Aaron (Robbin) Kerner, Andrew (Nicole) Kerner, Mitchell (Alsu) Lenneman, Neil Lenneman, Ryan (Taylor) Gabriel, Sydney and Caden Gabriel. Great grandchildren are Hallie, Abbigail, Finnley, Derek, and Sophie. He also has an older brother in Milwaukee and sisters-in-law Carol Bertrand Alice (Steve) Sedgwick.

Gabe was preceded in death by an infant brother, two half-brothers, daughter Anne Kerner, and two infant sons.

Following his nearly four-year stint in the Coast Guard, he applied for a teaching job and was accepted by Antigo in 1956. He taught English, mostly seventh grade, for over 30 years in the Antigo Middle School. In 1957, in partnership with another teacher, Leon Kalkofen, he purchased Grandview Orchard, which he and his wife operated for 57 years. He also was a beekeeper for many years.

In his younger years, Gabe enjoyed fishing, hunting, skiing at Kettlebowl, ice fishing, and playing sheepshead with his buddies. He enjoyed traveling, to most of the lower 48 states, and especially several trips to Europe to nearly two dozen countries, to the Bahamas, Mexico, and Guatemala. As a result, several young people came to visit Gabe and his family afterwards, even helping to pick apples in the fall.

His contacts with many Amish or Mennonite families in central Wisconsin meant a great deal to him. They welcomed him warmly as he always had something special for them.

Gabe was a member of St. Mary and St. Hyacinth Catholic Church.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses who took such good care of him in his frequent stays at the hospital and nursing home in the last year or so.

Strasser-Roller Funeral Home is assisting the family.