Gal N. Kessel passed away at his home Sunday, December 16, 2018, with his family by his side. Gal had fought a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease for 44 years. A rosary will be held Friday, December 21, at 11:30 a.m. followed by the funeral at noon at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Prineville, Ore. Graveside services will take place at Juniper Haven Cemetery Prineville. A luncheon will follow at St. Joseph’s hall.
Gal was born January 2, 1947 in Dickinson to George S. and Helen V. Paluck Kessel. He grew up and attended school in Belfield graduating in 1965. He attended the National Electronics Institute in Denver, Colo., graduating as a draftsman. Gal joined the U. S. Air Force July 22 1966 Stationed with the 67 Tactical Hospital in Mountain Home, Idaho.
While stationed in Mountain Home he met and married Carolyn Kniefel October 11, 1969. After an honorable discharge in 1970 they moved to Colorado Springs, Colo. where Gal attended X-Ray Tech school graduating in 1972. Gal and Carolyn moved to Prineville, Ore. in 1972 and he was the x-ray technician at Pioneer Memorial Hospital until his health forced him to retire early.
He was very active in his three children’s lives. He was a Cub Scout and Webelos Leader. He helped Carolyn with girl scouts and 4-H clubs. Having been lost in the North Dakota badlands as a child, he was passionate about teaching his scouts wilderness survival skills and how to make a snow cave. He spent years placing the American flags up and down the streets of Prineville for holidays.
Gal was also an avid fisherman. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus and St. Joseph’s parish.
Gal was preceded in death by his parents, George S. Kessel and Helen V. Kessel; stepmother, Mary Kordon Kessel; sister, Leona Ewoniuk Obenauer; and in-laws Harold and Zella Kniefel.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Kessel; sons, Frank (Susan) and James (KaTrina); and daughter Keri (Jose); grandchildren, Sean, Ethan, Sophia, Malia, Kathryn, Mason and Shelby; brothers, Greg (Stacey), Gordon (Lisa) Kessel and sister, Bernice (Gary) Santiago. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Charles Hospice or Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon (PRO).
