On May 9th, 2023, Loretta Gabrielse slipped into God’s arms while surrounded by family at her home.
Born March 26, 1931, Loretta was the daughter of Lawrence and Minnie (Nyhof) Liezen, and the granddaughter of Henry and Gertrude (Ten Pas) Liezen and Garret and Dina (Te Stelle) Nyhof.
She attended Oostburg Area Schools, and graduated in 1949. She was married July 17, 1953 to William Gabrielse, her beloved husband. They shared 48 years together. He preceded her in death in 2002.
She worked for 18 years as a Sheboygan County Stagecoach driver. Lorrie loved driving the bus and helping her cherished passengers.
Loretta was an avid reader. She enjoyed rides in the country, loved her flower garden backyard, and an occasional ice cream supper.
She was a charter member of Bethany Reformed Church, and considered it one of her greatest accomplishments. In the beginning, she participated in many fundraisers, was a Sunday School teacher, President of the Women’s Guild, and helped in any way possible to help the church move forward and grow.
Loretta’s family all talk about her sense of humor, passed down to every one of them. She loved to laugh and was joking with her caregivers until the end. She will be greatly missed.
Loretta is survived by two daughters and one son: Debra (Butch) Levandowski of Howards Grove, Michael (Christine) Gabrielse of Kiel and Faye Gabrielse of Sheboygan; seven grandchildren: Daniel Gabrielse, Doug (Erica) Gabrielse, Dustin (Allyson) Gabrielse, Steve (Adina) Schefsky, Benjamin (Ka) Jensen, Leigha (Maxwell) Jensen Styke and Joanna (Benjamin) Langemak; step-grandchildren Mark, Chad (Tara) and Ronda Levandowski. She is further survived by nine great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Carol (Harlan) Roerdink of Oostburg; brother-in-law David (Helen) Gabrielse of Oostburg; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, sisters: LaVerne (Eugene) Verhulst and Alvera (Harvey) Ongna; brother Ralph Liezen; brothers-in-law: John (LaVerne) Gabrielse, Leonard Jr. (Barbara) Gabrielse, Peter (Judith) Gabrielse and Cornelius (Mary) Gabrielse; sisters-in-law: Margaret Gabrielse, Betty (John) Kremm, Cornelia (Gerald) Van Der Puy and Katherine (Anthony) VanderVrede.
Funeral Services will be held at 12:30PM on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Wenig Funeral Home, 108 Center Ave. in Oostburg. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home Saturday from 10:30AM-12:30PM.
Loretta will be laid to rest at Hingham Cemetery beside William.
Memorials are suggested to Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice and First Reformed Church Video Services.
The family would like to thank the caring and compassionate staff at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice; they made Mom’s last wish possible to pass at home.
Wenig Funeral Home – Oostburg (920-564-2771) is assisting the family with arrangements. Please visit www.wenigfh.com for online condolences.
Donna Ashworth shares our feelings –
“If your mother is no longer with you on this mortal coil, do not for a moment believe that you are without her. For that is not possible. She beats with your every heartbeat. She breathes with your every gasp. She is coded into your very cells. That cannot be undone.”
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