Richard “Dick” Abel

Richard “Dick” Abel, 90, of Galesville, passed away at his Decorah Prairie home, January 2, 2024, surrounded by dear friends and family.

Richard was born June 10, 1933, to Joseph and Christine (Lau) Abel. He attended grade school in La Crosse until his parents purchased the Lester Emerson farm in Hardies Creek in 1945. Dick graduated from Galesville High School in 1951, and attended UW–La Crosse before serving in the U.S. Army, six-months active duty and seven-years in the Army Reserves.

He married Mary (Harbaugh) Abel-Lavely in 1977, and together they raised one son. They divorced 11-years later. Dick retired to his farm on Decorah Prairie where he built a hangar and bought a plane. With his brother-in-law, they formed Hilton-Abel Excavating. Later, he developed and managed Central Blacktop.

Throughout his life, Dick was an avid photographer and reprinted many photos for others. He was neighborly, caring, and helpful. Dick was quite social and a whole lot of fun to visit with as he was clever and witty with a whimsical personality and an endless passion for learning new things. He was always up to something and had several creative projects, including a snow plane and putting an airplane engine on a boat. One of his more recent projects was welding one bike frame on top of another which made the seat twice as high. He found great entertainment in bringing it to his extended family to watch them try to ride it! He never missed Thanksgiving or Easter at his sister’s and this past year declared it was his 73rd Thanksgiving with her! He was a board member of several organizations including the Town of Gale.

He leaves behind a son, Cal Abel (m. Bree Pattillo); two grandchildren: Copeland and Zadie; his sister, Mary Jane Hilton; his brother, Robert Abel; and several nieces, nephews, and good friends.

Dick was close to all of us and his big personality and zest for life will be missed by all who knew him. A service will be held Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., at Hardies Creek Lutheran Church with refreshments to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hardies Creek Lutheran Church.