Henry Gabel, Jr.

Henry "Hank" Gabel, Jr., 93, of Missoula passed away Monday, October 7, 2024 at Bitterroot Health in Hamilton with loved ones by his side. A visitation will be held from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Garden City Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, October 11, 2024, at Garden City Funeral Home with burial to follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A reception will immediately follow the graveside service back at Garden City.  

Henry Gabel, son of Henry and Mabel (Grosskopf) Gabel, was born August 23, 1931, in Hardin, Montana. Hank was one of thirteen children. He was known to his family and close friends as “Buck” His siblings and their spouses include Esther (Reinhold) Buerkle, Harold (Dorothy) Gabel, Alvin (Marylou) Gabel. Dorothy Shinazy, Roy (Clarice) Gabel, Marjorie, “Marge” (Fred) Herman, Violet (Bob) Eckhardt, Annabelle (Reynold) Schreiner, Alvina (August) Jansma, Conrad “Cooney” (Mary, “Sam”) Gabel and Larry (Beverly) Gabel.

Hank grew up on the family farm North of Hardin Mt, where he attended school. He also skipped school to hone his skills on the pool table. He left the family farm and he moved to Huntly Mt. to work for his brother Roy. He was an Army Reservist until being drafted in 1951. He served overseas in London, England and Frankfort, Germany. While in Germany he was selected to attend shop maintenance school which earned him a “Stripe”. Hank oversaw the truck maintenance shop in London for 18 months. He came back to the States and was an active Reservist for two years before being honorably discharged.  

Hank worked for his brother, Roy, after returning from his service. He also worked at the “Sugar Beet Factory” in Billings as many of his brothers did. Hank worked with Violet and Bob Eckhardt at Midland Packing in Billings. He worked at Midland Packing until it closed in 1967. He moved to Missoula, and went to work at Daily’s Meat Packing. Hank was a manager on the “meat line”. His brother Gerald helped Hank purchased a used backhoe and started to do excavation work as a side job. With his work ethic to get the job done on time and friendly nature, Gabel Excavating was established.  

Hank purchased the first Case four-wheel drive extend a hoe backhoe in Missoula. He “wore out” 3 of these machines during his career.

Hank was contracted by Twite Reality to install utilities and excavate basements in numerous subdivisions. Hank worked installing utilities and septic systems around the Missoula area for various people. Hank retired at the age of 62 and sold all his equipment. That lasted 8 months, he purchased another backhoe and went back to work.  

In 2019 Hank moved to Victor Mt and lived with his daughter Colleen and son in law Jim Stenger. Hank instantly became the superintendent on the landscaping projects. Whenever Colleen had an idea, Hank would grab his gloves and hop on the tractor. Hank was the one sitting on the tractor digging up trees, plants, and moving rocks. He sure enjoyed giving Colleen a hard time about her excavating skills. Springtime he would hop on his lawn mower, and no one could make the driveway look better. Hank loved running equipment.  

Hank had other true passion for the outdoors; he enjoyed pheasant hunting and fishing. Hank proudly passed on his fishing equipment to Colleen. He enjoyed looking at pictures of fish she caught and the stories she told of the big one that got away. Hank’s last pheasant hunting trips were organized by his grandson George. He bragged that he could still shoot one on the fly and was sure he out shot George each time they went. He could also be found at a Keno machine testing his luck.

Hank cherished the time he was able to spend with his family and friends; he will be greatly missed.    

Hank is survived by his daughter Colleen (Jim) Stenger, Grandson George Henry White. Eleanor Gabel (divorce), daughter Karen Stevens, granddaughter Taylor Stevens. Brother Larry (Beverly) Gabel and Sister Annabelle Schreiner plus many nieces and nephews.  

Hank was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Sr. and Mabel Gabel, and his son Glenn Gabel.