Lauretta Rae Gabriel

Lauretta “Lori” Rae Gabriel of Platteville, Wisconsin passed away at home on July 2, 2021 with her husband by her side. To celebrate Lori’s life, family and friends may visit July 6th from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Leonard Funeral Home and Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Rd, Dubuque. A meal to celebrate her life will immediately follow.

Lori was born in Norfolk, Virginia on April 1st to Myrtle and Jess Altop. Later she was adopted by Ronald Nelson, who was a wonderful father for 60 years. On August 1, 1987, Lori married Theodore “Ted” Gabriel with whom she spent over 35 wonderful years. 

She enjoyed her flowers, gardening, and cooking for all. Lori was an excellent baker and loved sharing that passion with her six grandchildren. Weekends were often spent camping with Ted. Lori was also blessed with being a foster parent for Joshua Matthew for over ten years. 

She is survived by her husband, Ted Gabriel; 3 children, Bret (Lisa) Patterson of Hazel Green, WI; Nicole “Niki” (Steve) Davis of Dubuque, IA; and Nicole (Rob) Lancaster of Roberts, WI; and six grandchildren: Bryant, Colton, Corey, Kirstin, Carter and Wyatt.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ronald and Myrtle Nelson; father and mother-in-law Wayne and Eunice Gabriel; her sister, Rita Keever; sisters-in-law, Karla Gabriel and Mary Gabriel; her foster child Joshua Matthew and her aunt, Carol of Wyoming.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up by the family.

The family would like to send a special thanks to Dr. Hermann, Tony Heiar and the Grand River Medical Group Oncology Department and the staff of Hospice of Dubuque for the compassionate care they provided.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.