James Gabriel, 78 of Spearfish, SD passed away on Friday, January 14, 2011 at the Fort Meade Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Father Timothy Castor as Celebrant, inurnment will take place at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

James was born February 11, 1932, to Bernard and Mary (Roth) Gabriel in Detroit, MI, where he grew up along with 15 brothers and sisters. He graduated from St. Joseph's Catholic High School then attended technical college.

He served in the U.S. Army, as a high-speed radio operator, from 1952-1955 and was stationed in Germany. On June 25, 1955, he married Dolores Ann Wuest in Detroit.

James was a devoted husband and loving father of 8 children-5 sons and 3 daughters.

In 1968 he moved the family from Michigan to Alaska, and lived there for 5 years. While in Alaska he worked at a chemical plant on the Kenai Peninsula. He spent many hours hunting and fishing with his family and gave all of his children a love for nature and the outdoors.

In 1973 he moved the family to Park Rapids, MN, where he farmed until he retired. In 1997 he, Dolores and son David moved to Spearfish, SD where he lived his final years. He enjoyed the Black Hills, the mild climate, and adventures in Deadwood.

Grateful to have shared in his life were his wife, Dolores of 55 years, his 8 children, David Gabriel, Spearfish; James Gabriel and Cheri Burkhardt, Gillette, WY; Kenneth and Joan Gabriel, Park Rapids, MN; Katherine and Larry Severin, Langenburg, SASK, Canada; Stephen and Paula Gabriel, Park Rapids, MN; Susan Taylor, Park Rapids, MN; Gordon and Joy Gabriel, Clayton, NC; Barbara and Charles Syverson, Thermopolis, WY; 23 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.