Dr. Gerald Gorton Gabel

Dr. Gerald “Doc” Gorton Gabel, 85, of Homer, NE passed away October 15, 2022 surrounded by his family. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at the Old Dane Golf Course in Dakota City, Nebraska at 3:00 pm on October 22, 2022. Doc’s wishes were to be cremated and his ashes spread over his beloved Ponderosa Ranch at a later date.  Arrangements are under the direction of Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home.  Online condolences may be directed to meyerbroschapels.com.

Doc was born May 28, 1937 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sioux City, IA, the eldest son of Edward and Margaret Gabel. Doc grew up in Kanawha, IA and graduated from Kanawha High School in 1955. He married Margy Wicks in the fall of 1960. He received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 1961, graduating at the top of his class. Doc moved to Emerson, NE in the summer of 1961, and helped open the Tri-County Veterinary Clinic in Emerson with the Pender Veterinary Clinic. He then moved to Homer, NE in 1983 where he lived the remainder of his life on the Ponderosa Ranch. In 2005, Doc sold his part of his business and continued to work full time in Sioux City at Tri-State Veterinary Clinic. Doc was passionate about his work and practiced as a veterinarian for over 60 years. He was still working just days before his passing.

Doc enjoyed spending his free time riding his 4-wheeler, checking on the cows, spraying weeds, and planting trees. Doc was an avid fan of Morningside College sports. He was also a third-degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and enjoyed teaching and competing for many years. Doc was the best father and grandpa to his 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his children: Brent Gabel of Sioux Falls, SD; James (Angela) Gabel of South Sioux City, NE; Thomas Gabel of Homer, NE; Melissa (Kam) Smith of Dakota Dunes, SD. His brothers Ronald (Henry) Gabel of Palm Springs, CA; Richard (Judi) Gabel of Sun City, AZ; Robert (Carolyn) Gabel of Indianapolis, IN; sister, Karen Beck of Glendale, AZ. Grandchildren: Jayme (Mia) Gabel of Jackson, NE; Colton (Danielle) Gabel of Homer, NE; Jill (Jon) Hansen of Dakota City, NE; Dalton (Alyssa) Gabel of Homer, NE; Morgan Gabel of Homer, NE; Catherine (Shariq) Gabel of Brooklyn, NY; Harrison Gabel of Brooklyn, NY; Lindsey Smith of South Sioux City, NE; Tanner Smith of North Sioux City, SD. Five great grandchildren: Jackson, Jozlyn, Charlie, Olivia and Ella.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Margaret Gabel, Margy (Wicks) Gabel, and his brother in-law Mike Beck.

Doc was a wonderful man that touched so many people and was a friend to all. Doc, we will miss you!

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made to the Morningside University athletic department, for those that would like to contribute, please visit https://www.msidemustangs.com/support/index