Robert Abel

Robert Eugene C. Abel was born the youngest of four children to Charles and Martha (Knadjl) Abel February 16, 1940 on the family farm in Mason City, Nebraska. He passed from this life Friday, August 10, 2012 at his home in Talmo, Kansas. He was 72 years of age. Bob attended country school until entering high school in Ansley, Nebraska. After graduating from high school, he went to work as a ranch hand in the Nebraska Sand Hills where he became very active in the sport of rodeo, participating in all the men's events. He traveled to various rodeos ending up in Concordia, Kansas and went to work for Shorty and Joyce Stensaas. Bob was drafted into the Army and served from 1962 to 1964. He was united in marriage to Marilyn Chizek in September of 1963. After his honorable discharge from the service, Bob worked as a farm hand, for the Rock Island railroad, for a meat packing plant in Mankato, and Republican Valley Cattle Feeders of Scandia. For several years he was a welder at ABB Raymond in Concordia until his retirement. During this time he raised cattle as well. His passion in life was his family, the sport of rodeo and traveling, especially to visit his daughters. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters Arlene Harnagel and Charlene Lymber. Bob will be forever remembered by Marilyn, his wife of almost 49 years; his daughters Teresa Abel of Cambridge UK and Kathy Abel-Tillou and husband Russ of Richmond, CA; special niece Jana Harnagel-VanHook and husband Bryan, Omaha, NE; special nephew Jay Harnagel and wife Judy, Miller, NE; brother Richard Abel and wife Barbara, Montrose, CO; brother-in-law Joe Chizek and wife Dee, Cuba, KS; and sister-in-law Cecilia Seachord and husband Harold, Wymore, NE; other relatives and a host of friends. Bob said after he was diagnosed, "we've had a very good life and two great daughters, really good friends and relatives. I hope to be remembered with kind thoughts and happy memories." A memorial service celebrating Bob's life was held Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas. Family inurnment will be at a later date. The family suggests memorials be made to the American Heart Association or the National MS Society. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas was in charge of these arrangements.