Alice E. Zabel

Westmoreland- Alice Elaine Zabel, 76, died December 9, 2008 at Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan. She was born on January 30, 1932 in Jamestown, Kansas, the daughter of Frederick O. and Elizabeth J. (Elliott) Pickle. She grew up in Jamestown and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1951. Elaine was married to Joe L. Zabel on August 1, 1955 in Jamestown. They spent their entire married life in Westmoreland where she worked for Dechairo Hospital for over 20 years and had spent the last decade as a hostess for the Rock Creek Historical Society Museum in Westmoreland. In her youth, Elaine became a member of the United Methodist Church in Jamestown and after her marriage she became a member of the Westmoreland United Methodist Church where she served as a Sunday School Teacher for over 30 years. Elaine was also a Girl Scout Cadets Leader in Westmoreland and acted as the “local cookie mom” for decades. She also represented the local Girl Scout District as a delegate to their National Convention. Elaine also belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary, the United Methodist Women, the Red Hat Society and the Rock Creek Valley Historical Society. She was also a great sports enthusiast. During her 50+ years in Westmoreland she seldom missed the Westmoreland Wildcats or Rock Creek Mustangs football or basketball games. Elaine is survived by: her husband, Joe of the home; her son, Michael J. Zabel and his wife Kelda of Wamego, KS; her daughters, Tammie S. Salsbury and her husband Mike of Junction City, KS and Patty A. Council and her husband Billy of Westmoreland, KS; her brother, Arthur Pickle and his wife Martha of St. Charles, MI; her three sisters, Martha Pena of Ridgecrest, CA, Esther Beaushaw and her husband Merrill of Jamestown, KS and Agnes Anderson and her husband Andy of Nickerson, KS; her sister-in-law, Marjorie Zabel of Westmoreland, KS; her five grandchildren, Christina Council of Westmoreland, KS, Cassie Salsbury of Manhattan, KS, Brett Salsbury of Junction City, KS, and Elizabeth and Michael Zabel of Wamego, KS; and her great grandchild, Jayveon Thomas of Manhattan, KS; she was preceded in death by her parents and two siblings, Donnie Pickle and Myrtle Beaupre. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday December 12th at Westmoreland United Methodist Church. Cremation will then follow with private inurnment later. Visitation will be Thursday evening at the Stewart Funeral Chapel in Westmoreland from 7-8:30 p.m. She will lie in state starting at 1:00 p.m. that day. Memorials have been designated in Elaine’s name for Rock Creek High School Athletic Department, American Legion Auxiliary of Westmoreland, or the Westmoreland Area Girl Scouts and contributions may be left in care of the funeral home P.O. Box 48, Wamego, 66547.