Gabriel B. “Gabe” Lepak, age 81 of Shawano, went to be with his Lord and Savior late Wednesday evening, August 31, 2022, at Aurora Bay Care Medical Center in Green Bay where he had been a patient for the past five weeks. Gabe was born February 27, 1941, in Rosholt, a son of the late Felix and Angeline (Yenter) Lepak, one of twelve children. He attended school in Manawa, graduating from Manawa High School. Following high school, Gabe attended cosmetology school and worked as a hairdresser in Kaukauna from 1966 to 1986. He also served in the Army National Guard for six years. On May 28, 1966, Gabe was united in marriage to the former Mary Schutt at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano. Following their marriage the couple moved to Appleton, returning to Shawano in 1986. Gabe went to work for Heritage Hardwoods for several years before going to work for the Shawano County Community Programs Department, where he worked for twenty years.
Gabe is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano. He loved his gardens, both flower and vegetable. Gabe was always willing to lend a hand to others. He followed his daughter, Stacey, in her career and volunteered often wherever help was needed. Gabe loved fishing in Florida with his son-in-law, Blake, and looked forward to the annual trip.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 56 years, Mary of Shawano; two daughters, Stacey (Joe) Cicero of Shawano, and Christine (Blake) Zika of Palmetto, Florida; six grandchildren, Griffin Burris “Frater Charles”, Marcus and Chloe Cicero, and Luke, Kaia, and Sierra Zika; his brothers, Basil (Kathy) Lepak of Green Bay, Carl Lepak of Green Bay, and Felix Lepak, Jr. of Ogdensburg; his sisters, Marie Wolter of Kimberly, Angie Fincher of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Patricia McPeak of Fremont, Sharon (Larry) Olsen of Manawa, and Margie (Mike) Dearth of Fremont; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Gabe was preceded in death by one brother, Tom Lepak, and two sisters, Betty Zielke and Carol Davison.
A memorial Mass for Gabe will be celebrated on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 11:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano. Fr. Scott Valentyn will be the Celebrant. Inurnment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Shawano. Visitation will begin at the church at 9:00 am and continue until the time of Mass. In lieu of flowers and plants, the family prefers memorials to Safe Haven in Shawano in Gabe’s name.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com.
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