Steven D. Abel (Del)

Steven D. Abel (Del), was born February 1, 1933 to homesteader parents, on the West half of the Colville Reservation.  He was delivered by his father, as it was the middle of one of the biggest blizzards of the century, and nobody else could get there.  He passed away May 12, 2023 in Samaritan Hospital, Moses Lake, Washington after a lengthy battle with a number of age related illnesses.

Del was quick to help out where he could whenever a friend was in need.  A jack of all trades, he worked as a "powder monkey" and did a lot of blasting at work, and for friends and family, he ran most all heavy equipment, rock crushing setups, did electrical work from 440 volt irrigation projects to shops, houses, and anything else that needed electricity.  If your rifle or shotgun wasn't working right, or car, or whatever you had that was broken, he seemed to know what to do.  He was an avid outdoorsman, and loved nothing more than hunting, fishing, and getting out into nature. 

During the Korean War, he volunteered for the Army, earned his Ranger tabs, but ended up working with a combat engineers battalion most of his tenure in the service.   He earned a quick trip stateside after being run over by a 2 1/2 ton truck after sniper fire killed the driver, and the truck ran up through the ditch and over a number of soldiers.   After Madigan Army Hospital, he split his time between Fort Worden, and the Yakima Firing Center.  From that point on he drove truck, ran heavy equipment for construction outfits, worked for ranchers, and numerous other jobs. He was past commander of the American Legion post at Nespelem, Washington.  He suffered a major spinal injury while working at Grand Coulee Dam in 1972, and was medically retired.

Del was married 55 years to his wife, Velma, until her passing in 2017.   They each came into the marriage having children from previous marriages, and had two more kids together. Their greatest love was making memories traveling the Western USA with their RV for a number of summers, camping, fishing, and enjoying what nature offered. 

Del is survived by: eldest son Steve (Tracey), Wenatchee; stepchildren Ron (Ellen), Ephrata; Don, Sterling, Alaska; Carla (John), Rupert, Idaho, and children Anita (Hank), Almira; Bill, Almira.  He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren, and was preceded in death by wife Velma and grandson Jason.

Services were a brief graveside service in the Almira Cemetery, Thursday May 18, 2023 at 2:00pm. Snacks followed after at the Almira Community Center.

In lieu of cards and flowers, the family asks for donations to the Almira Fire Department and EMS.  We have an enormous appreciation for our crew, and have called upon them extensively for help over the last few years.  They, and the community at large, have our deepest gratitude.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.stratefuneralhome.com for the Abel family. Strate Funeral Home, Davenport is caring for the family.