Michael "Mike" Gabriel, Sr. 92, Strasburg, ND, died Monday, April 27, 2015 at the Strasburg Care Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 1, 2015 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Strasburg, ND with Rev. Jason Signalness and Rev. Leonard Eckroth officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 30, 2015 at Myers Funeral Home and continue from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the church in Strasburg where there will be a prayer service at 7 p.m.Mike was born June 8, 1922, to Eugene and Margaret (Kraft) Gabriel at their farm home in rural Hague, ND. Mike spent his early years working on the family farm with his ten siblings. Those were the days of horses, summer houses, big families, and some hard times. Mike fondly remembers his mother baking big loaves of bread every third day for the family.After one year of high school in Strasburg, Mike worked for his brother-in-law, Ignatius Schaffer, on his farm by Napoleon during the summer and as a mechanic during the winter. During these winters, he worked for Tony Bitz garage in Napoleon and attended Hansen Trade School in Fargo. It was while threshing at a Burnstad farm he met his future wife, Elizabeth Deibert. Mike and Elizabeth (Ehresmann) Deibert were married on October 17, 1944 in Napoleon, ND. They moved to Bismarck in 1944 where Mike worked for the Ford Garage until being drafted into the Army in 1945. Mike served on the Laytee Islands, Philippines, until his discharge in late 1946. Mike resumed employment with the Ford Garage in Bismarck until 1948, at which time they moved to Strasburg, where Mike began work at Schumacher's Ford. Mike worked as a mechanic for Schumacher's in Strasburg and then Linton until 1954. From 1954 to 1956, Mike became a Watkins dealer. In 1956, they opened their own business in Strasburg, Mike's Skelly Service, and later Gabriel & Sons International. Even though he retired from business in 1988, Mike continued to spend time at the shop, helping out with everything that needed to be done. Mike loved to sidewalk farm for many more years. The smell and feel of the land was indeed in his blood. Along with being a business person, Mike served his community as mayor, fire chief, fireman, VFW member and as an active member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Mike and Elizabeth enjoyed many years as Good Sam members and snow birding in Arizona and Texas. He also felt humbled and proud to be part of an "Honor Flight" for WWII veterans to Washington, DC. Mike truly appreciated his customers and always tried his best to provide good services. He was a true craftsman, loved selling International trucks, AMC cars, loved dealing with people, but most of all, he loved his family. Mike is survived by his three sons and daughters-in-law: Michael Jr. and Dottie Gabriel, Foley, AL, Larry and Linda Gabriel, Beulah, ND, and Kevin and Judy Gabriel, Strasburg; five grandchildren: Cindy and Tommy Beasley, Tracy and James Gabriel, Kim and Robin Gabriel, Nici and John Gabriel, and Sarah and Eric Volk; 4 step grandchildren: Eva and Ben Peightal, Angela and Jack Montgomery, Keith Sirmon, Darlene and Travis Comstock; 10 great grandchildren, 13 step great grandchildren; one step great-great grandchild; and one brother: Ervin Gabriel, Arizona, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Elizabeth, his great grandson, Ian Gabriel, his sisters, Emilia Schaffer, Mary Schepp, Kathryn Lehtinen, his brothers, Anton, John, Joe, Al, Carl, and his daughter-in-law, Carol Gabriel.