Obituary of Shirley Kabele

Shirley Jean Kabele was born July 2, 1935, in Arnolds Park, Iowa, the daughter of Claude and Quintina (Hansen) Ritchie. She was raised and educated in Arnolds Park, graduating from Arnolds Park High School. Shirley was united in marriage to Chris Kabele, Sr. They made their home in Spirit Lake before moving next to the family business in rural Jackson County, MN, where they raised their sons, Chris Jr., and Ken. She worked in the family business, Kabele Truck & Auto Parts. Shirley was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake, where she was kept active in Women's Group. She was an avid golfer, and in her younger years, enjoyed gardening. She also enjoyed traveling south to flea markets in the winter and bringing home goodies to sell on her garage sale in the summer. Above all, she loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Many would say she made the best goulash in the world. Shirley was a kind woman...unless she meets a snake. Shirley passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at Keelson Harbour in Spirit Lake at seventy-eight years of age. She is survived by her husband Chris Kabele, Sr.; sons, Chris A. Kabele, Jr. and his wife, Laura and their children, Luke and Jessie, and Kenneth Kabele and his wife Kathi and their daughter, Kenna. She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Quintina Ritchie, brothers, Clarence, Reginald, James and Claude Jr., and sister, Betty Olbrantz.