Jeanne Rader Gabrielsen

Jeanne Elizabeth Rader Gabrielsen of Greenfield, IN, 89, went to celebrate with her Lord and Savior in heaven on January 12, 2020 after a long life of consistently serving God through her love, generosity, and encouragement of others. The beloved daughter of Lt. Col. Lyell Mayes Rader and Gladys Mina Damon Rader, she was born in Cincinnati, OH on December 5, 1930.
Jeanne graduated from Weequahic High School in Newark, NJ. After working for 2 years in Philadelphia as an executive secretary, she earned a bachelor’s degree in music and elementary education from Asbury College (Class of 1954), where she met Ted Gabrielsen, who was to become her husband and soul mate for 65 years.

Jeanne taught first and second grade at Roosevelt Elementary School in Cicero, IL while her husband earned his medical degree at the University of Illinois (1955-1959). Following three years in Indianapolis where her husband pursued post graduate training in medicine, they attended The Salvation Army School for Officer Training in Chicago (1962-1963) to prepare for their missionary work in Yong Dong, South Korea, where they served from 1963 to 1967 with 3 young children in tow. Jeanne was especially concerned with caring personally for the lepers and the destitute people in the town.

When the family returned to Indianapolis so that her husband could finish his residency at Methodist Hospital, Jeanne invested herself in helping with programs for children and youth through The Salvation Army, including writing and directing 2 musicals for the Salvation Army’s Indiana Youth Department and teaching children at the Indianapolis Central Corps. The family moved to Greenfield, IN in 1975. From 1973 to 2012, Jeanne worked as the Executive Administrator of Dr. Ted Gabrielsen’s medical practice in Greenfield, IN, Gabrielsen Surgical Associates. She was thrilled when their eldest son, Dr. Cam Gabrielsen, joined the practice (1991-2012) and overjoyed again when their son, Dr. Jon D. Gabrielsen, joined “Dr. Ted” and “Dr. Cam” in the practice (2003-2007).

Among her many talents, Jeanne was known for her beautifully strong singing voice. In addition to singing in the church choir for most of her life, she also sang duets with “Dr. Ted,” solos, and in her role as Lady of the Manor (over the course of 20 years) in madrigal dinners at Faith Missionary Church. She also enjoyed the opportunity to act and sing in two musicals with the Hoosier Heartland Repertory Theater in Greenfield, IN. She played the role of Dolly Levi in their production of “Hello Dolly” to perfection. Like the character Dolly, Jeanne was larger than life, blessed with tremendous energy and endurance, a jack of all trades, witty, colorful, and loved celebrating people’s joys and accomplishments with them. Like Dolly, she believed that “Money, pardon the expression, is like manure. It’s not worth a thing unless it’s spread around encouraging young things to grow.” (Dolly Levi)

Jeanne’s greatest accomplishments were her relationships. She was an adored wife, mother, grandmother (“Grammy”), great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, co-worker, and more. She was a world class encourager, comforter, cheerleader, mentor, counselor, supporter, and champion of family and friends and everyone she “adopted” along the way. Her gift of hospitality was practiced lavishly and often on family, friends, and even strangers, so much so that a friend once jokingly suggested that she should install a revolving door on her home. She was known for her generosity, mercy, empathy, and compassion for others – as willing to cry with you, if needed, as to celebrate with you. She loved attending the games, recitals, plays, and special events of her large extended family and friends – always ready to cheer people on in their endeavors. She also was a patient listener, gave great advice when asked, and prayed faithfully not only for family and friends, but for people around the world.

Jeanne loved her church families as well. In Indianapolis, she and “Dr. Ted” attended The Salvation Army Central Corps, then Faith Missionary Church (1973-1994), followed by Castleview Baptist Church (1994-2000), and then First Church of the Nazarene (2000-2007). Beginning in 2007, Jeanne and “Dr. Ted” made Park Chapel Christian Church in Greenfield, IN, their church home.

Jeanne loved to read her Bible, devotional books, mysteries, political books, and the newsletters of the many organizations she supported, highlighting and underlining profusely as she read. She also loved books, candles, flowers, color, and all things beautiful. Her talent for creating beauty in everyday life, her gifts of organization and networking, her abundant energy, her willingness to work tirelessly (all night if necessary), her attention to detail, and her ability to mobilize an army of volunteers all came in handy, especially when planning one of her legendary theatrical or celebratory events. She was an event planner before the term existed. Her enthusiasm for life and her love of others grew out of her deep faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior from sin, and the Lord of her life in all things. She saw people through the eyes of His grace, and loved them unconditionally. She brought love, hope, joy, and beauty into our lives in abundance.

She gave generously to world missions and world relief organizations. Especially close to her heart were The Salvation Army, Christian broadcaster SAT-7, Jews for Jesus, Chosen People Ministries, and her church community, Park Chapel Christian Church, Greenfield, IN.

Survivors include: her husband, Dr. Ted Howard Gabrielsen, M.D.; their four children, Dr. Steven Campbell Gabrielsen, M.D. (Deborah) of Bloomington, IN, Karen Jill Gabrielsen-Forester (Dr. Lee Forester, PhD) of Holland, MI, Beth Marie G. Williams (Page) of Newnan, GA, and Dr. Jon Damon Gabrielsen, M.D. (Tamara) of Danville, PA; their 18 grandchildren, Julie Merlau (Curtis), Steve Gabrielsen (Brittany), Karyn Lay (Paris), Robert Gabrielsen, Lisa Gabrielsen, Dianne Gabrielsen, Carsten Forester, Christian Forester, Lukas Forester, Caleb Williams, Kiersten Williams, Asher Williams, K. Annalise Williams, Paul Gabrielsen, Jenna Gabrielsen, Josh Gabrielsen, Jackson Gabrielsen, and Isabelle Gabrielsen; 5 great-grandchildren, Reade, Sylvie, Ellerie and George Merlau, and Kennedy Jo Gabrielsen, as well as 2 step great-grandchildren, Aaliyah and Dominic Lay; 3 living siblings, Lt. Col. Damon L. Rader, General Paul Rader (Kay), Lt. Col. Herbert Rader M.D. (Lois), and Lt. Col. Lanie Rader the widow of her brother Lt. Col. Lyell M. Rader; 24 nieces and nephews, many of whom found a second home with Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Ted; and Rhonda and Tracy Gray.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Jeanne at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, 2020 at Park Chapel Christian Church in Greenfield, IN with visitation beginning at 1:30 p.m. A private committal service will be held at Oak Ridge-Glen Oak Cemetery in Hillside, IL on February 15, 2020.

Memorial gifts may be made to: The Salvation Army Indiana Division or Hope Foundation Ministries in Kenya (gifts may be given through Park Chapel Christian Church, Greenfield, IN).
Condolences may be made online at: indianafuneralcare.com/obituaries