Chester “Chet” Abel, 83, of Creston passed away Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.
Per Chet’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be directed to Cromwell United Church of Christ or Union County Fair Association. Online condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.
Chester Earl Abel, the son of Abner Earl and Gladys Olevia (Worden) Abel, was born Sept. 11, 1935, in Council Bluffs. Chet’s family moved from Walnut to a farm west of Creston in 1945, where he would reside the rest of his life. He graduated from Cromwell High School with the class of 1953. Chet would then begin farming on his own, growing grain and raising cattle and hogs, a passion that would last a lifetime. He was a proud veteran, joining the National Guard in 1955 and serving until 1961.
On Oct. 2, 1960, Chet married Betty Joan Kralik in Cromwell. Two boys, Rodney and Brady, would bless this marriage.
Chet was a member of Cromwell United Church of Christ, Maple Hill Cemetery Board and Creston Eagles. He was active in the Douglas Boosters 4-H club. He and Betty were members of the Silver Circle Club with First National Bank in Creston and enjoyed their trips with the club. He was a former member of Creston Elks, Creston Lions Club, Creston Feed and Grain Board and Union County Pork Producers. In 1985, he and Betty were named Master Pork Producers for the state of Iowa.
He enjoyed TV westerns and driving the countryside looking at the crops and livestock. Chet also enjoyed dancing with Betty. Family visits were very special to him and so were phone conversations with family and friends.
Left to cherish Chet’s memory is his wife Betty Abel of Creston; two sons, Rodney (Marla) Abel of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and Brady Abel of Peoria, Arizona; four grandchildren, Jarod (Karlea) Abel, Jordan Abel, Kelsey Searles and Megan Searles; sisters, Loretta Doonan Petersen of Atlantic, Mary Ann Bryant of Lenox, Bertha “Bert” Purdum of Lenox and Carol (Jack) Anderson of Manhattan Beach, California; sisters-in-law, Donna Standley of Papillion, Nebraska, and Carol Kralik of Creston; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceding Chet in death were his parents; mother- and father-in-law, Hazel and Harold Kralik; brother Kenneth Abel; sisters, Evelyn Abel and Beverly Abel Mohr; sister-in-law Darlene Abel; brothers-in-law, Gaylord Doonan, Arnold Petersen, Willard “Bud” Bryant, Dale Purdum, William “Bill” Mohr, Dale Standley and Eugene Kralik; niece Linda Doonan Arhrenholtz; and nephews, Michael Abel, David Standley and Michael Kralik.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.“ – John 14:27
