Christeta Lee Gabelein

Chris Gabelein passed away peacefully at her home in Bayview on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 after a lengthy illness.

Chris was born on Feb. 5, 1946 and adopted by her parents, Charles and Gretchen Bechtol of Seattle. The Bechtol family spent their summers at Sandy Point near Langley. Chris attended Catholic grade school and graduated from Forest Ridge Convent High School in 1964.

Chris had many interests in her life; she worked beside her husband and sons in the family business; was a proprietary member of the Holmes Harbor Rod & Gun Club and organized the annual Easter Egg Hunt for many years. She was involved in the Island County Fair Association as the campgrounds superintendent and arena announcer, and was a charter member of the Daughters of Norway Ester Moe Lodge No. 39. You’ll also remember her as the driver in the white convertible, that escorted the grand marshals of both the fair and the Maxwelton Fourth of July parades. At one time, she owned a horse named Cocoa and was a leader of the Knight Riders 4-H Club and a member of the South Whidbey Saddle Club.

Chris is survived by her husband Duane, whom she married in 1969; sons Rod Gabelein of Freeland and Chuck Gabelein of Clinton; daughter Kim, her husband Doug Younts and granddaughter Jillian, all of Renton.

Chris made Duane’s family her own and will be missed by Ruth and John Ohm, Verlane and Marilyn Gabelein, Myron and Resa Gabelein, Evelyn and Dennis Bower, Larry Gabelein and many nieces and nephews, as well as her many friends and extended family. She had an amazing ability to make friends and had a wealth of knowledge on many subjects. Who are we going to call when we can’t think of that person’s name or phone number, or when we need that ride? We hope she is in that happy place she has been searching for.

Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8 at Bayview Cemetery, with a celebration of her life and a potluck to follow at the Holmes Harbor Rod & Gun Club. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Island County Fair Association or the charity of your choice.