Faye Gabrielson

Faye Gabrielson, age 62, of Seattle, Washington, died Monday, November 30, 2015 following a sixteen month battle with lung cancer. She was surrounded by family and friends as they shared favorite memories at her bedside. “Faye Baby” was a loving daughter, sister, auntie, friend and wife. She was deeply loved by all.
Faye was born in Belmond, Iowa on February 12, 1953, the youngest of five children to Lester and Florence Gabrielson. As a child she was baptized and confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond. After graduating from Belmond Community High School, she attended the University of Northern Iowa, and completed her A.A. degree in 1975 at Des Moines Area Community College. Faye worked in Des Moines area hospitals as a medical laboratory technician for 15 years. She shared those years with her companion, Jan Wright, and raised their beloved dogs Zeke & Josh, enjoyed camping and activities with the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Throughout her life, Faye’s passions were many and varied. She enjoyed the track team and was a star catcher on school softball teams. She faithfully followed NCAA basketball season every year. As an art major in college she developed her talents in oil painting, and even sold some of her paintings later in life. Faye had a deep love of nature and wildlife. One of her happiest memories was of a summer working at Estes Park, Colorado. In her thirties, she volunteered with Earthwatch Research Corps on separate studies of orca whales in the San Juan Islands and bald eagles in Haines, Alaska. She loved contributing to the understanding and conservation of these beautiful creatures.
In 1990, Faye packed her things and headed to a new life in Seattle, Washington, where her aunt Terry and sister Pam’s family were living. She continued her career as a lab tech until taking on a new challenge of learning medical records management at Northwest Hospital in 2000. She enjoyed this work until her retirement in 2003.
It was in Seattle that Faye met her future wife, Karen Sue Fickenwirth. They began their life together March 26, 1991 and were legally married June 9, 2013. Their forever together was too short, but it was filled with all good things. Together they kept up with the lives of dozens of nieces and nephews, vacationed often to visit family, celebrated ten years together on an Alaskan cruise, and twenty years with a trip to Hawaii. Whale watching trips, weekends on the Olympic Peninsula, and raising their pets – Bill & Fuzz, Murphy, Oscar & Rosie, Boots and Otto – created a life filled with love and wonderful memories.
She was preceded in death by her parents. Surviving are her wife, Karen, of Seattle; sisters Pam (Don) Van Laningham of Chandler, AZ, and Gayle (Louis) Smidt of Britt, IA; brothers Neil (Kathy) Gabrielson of Britt, IA and Mack (Cindy) Gabrielson of Clear Lake, IA; sister-in-law Kristi (Drew) Haas of Port Orchard, WA; and closest friend Viki Stanmour (the late Jesse Winter). Also survived by seventeen nieces and nephews, thirty-nine great-nieces and nephews, and two great-great nephews.
A memorial service will be held in Belmond in January 2016. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to The Center for Whale Research ( www.whaleresearch.com ).
Nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great nephews:
Joy (Kent) Venton; Katie [Dimitry & Aaydin], Rick, Makayla
Julie Wehrer; Dillon
Jeff (Annette) Smidt; Christian
Sarah (Jayson) Keiper; Ava & Ella
Kimberly Smidt
Karen (Chris) Solien; Grace, Lily, Henry
Kurt Gabrielson; Sevren & Gabby
Lori (Travis) Clendenen; Madeline, Zella, Violet, Thomas
Lisa (Chris) Vandelune; Christian, Joel, Taylor, Emma, Maggie, Mallory, Abigayle
Bonnie (Jay) Hiscocks; Claire
Jennifer Tenold; Mackenzie, Cael, Carson, Cade
Dan Gabrielson; Preston, Kenedie, Bradan, Quinn
Laurie (Dean) Ackland; Robert, Chase, Lane
Jay (Liz) Lefevre; Emily & Tyler
Josh (Lauren) Daniels; Addison & Adam
Walter Ross
Sam Stanmour