Dolores Eldred Gabrielsen

Died peacefully at home early Wednesday morning, September 19, 2024, in the arms of her family’s love.

Dee was born to a Norwegian immigrant family on May 18, 1929, in Mount Vernon, Washington and grew up in Seattle, the eldest of Olga and Axel Berg’s five children. She attended Fairview Elementary School and was a graduate of Roosevelt High School. Her first job was at Rhodes Department Store. She was 13.

When Dee was 10, she met 13-year-old Luther (Lou) Gabrielsen, when his family moved to Seattle and his father became pastor of Denny Park Lutheran Church. For several years, Dee was just a pesky little girl who went to his church. But when Lou came back from Navy Basic Training in San Diego during World War II, Dee had grown up, and Lou saw her with a different pair of eyes. After the War, Lou and Dee went to PLU together and married in 1950. They soon moved to St. Paul, MN where Lou attended Luther Seminary.

During their time at the seminary, the newly formed U.S. Air Force was recruiting chaplains, and Lou signed on. That led Dee and Lou to a life together that included adventures in Texas, Japan, Georgia, Spain, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Alaska, and, finally, their home state of Washington. They enjoyed military life and, along the way, welcomed three daughters, Debbie, Bobbi, and Jennifer, into their family. After 24 years, Lou retired from the military but not the ministry. In 1977, he accepted a call from Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Marysville, WA, where he and Dee served for 15 years.

Our Mom loved the life she shared with our dad, serving both their church and their country. And she was never happier than when she was with her family at our cabin on Lake Cavanaugh. Dee was Poppy’s common sense, and a guiding light to her family. Grounded in faith and more than a little Norwegian grit, Grandma Dee overcame life’s challenges with dignity and grace.

Dee is survived by her daughters Debbie (and Dave) Miles, Bobbi Miles, Jennifer (and Mike) Lally, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and her sisters Aileen Miller and Alyce Isaacson. She was preceded in death by her husband, and our dad, Lou, brothers Jerry Berg and Bernie Berg, sister-in-law Marion Holum, and son-in-law Paul Miles.

Committal will be at Evergreen Washelli, 11111 Aurora Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98133, on Friday, October 18, at 2:00 p.m. A Memorial Service and Reception will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 9320 Meadow Way, Everett, WA 98208, on Saturday, October 19, at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Dee’s memory to the church of your choice, Mt. Gilead Bible Camp & Conference Center, https://www.mtgilead.org/donate; or Lake Cavanaugh Volunteer Fire Department, LCFDA c/o Carol Pletz, 33986 North Shore Drive, Mount Vernon, WA 98274, or the charity of your choice.