Mack E. Gabrielson

Mack Ervin Gabrielson, 65, of Clear Lake, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City, Iowa.

A Celebration of Mack’s life was held on Friday, October 21, 2016, at Zion Lutheran Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Ed Bard, Chaplain of Hospice North Iowa officiating.  Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery, Belmond, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorials to be directed to Central College, Pella, Iowa in memory of Mack.

Mack was born in Belmond, the son of Lester and Florence (Mack) Gabrielson.  He graduated from Belmond High School in 1968, where he played football, wrestled and was involved in theatre and music.  He then attended and graduated from Central College in 1972.  While attending college he played football on the offensive line.

Upon graduation he was a teacher from 1972-1976 at CAL Community School District, where he taught biology, physiology and physical education.  Mack was also head football and track coach.

In 1976 he moved to Belmond where he joined the Bunnell Agency as an insurance agent.  Mack later became owner of the agency and it eventually became First Gabrielson Agency with several locations throughout North Iowa.

Mack married Cindy Sealock on May 17, 1986 in Belmond. To this union there are five children.  In 1995 they made their home in Clear Lake.

Throughout his life he had many accomplishments, a few of which are past president of Belmond Chamber of Commerce, Belmond Jaycees, Belmond Gridiron Club, Belmond Toastmasters, Clear Lake E.D.C. and Cerro Gordo Independent Agents Association. Mack was also president of the Professional Insurance Agents of Iowa.  He took great pride in serving on the IMT Insurance Company board of directors, West Des Moines from 1999-2015.

He enjoyed the many fishing trips to Canada, skiing in Colorado, deep sea fishing, golfing and spending time with his family.  For the past 12 years Mack and Cindy made their winter home in Naples, Fla.

Mack is survived by his wife, Cindy Gabrielson, Clear Lake; their five children, Jennifer Gabrielson, Urbandale, Iowa, Laurie (Dean) Ackland, Rochelle, Ill., Dr. Daniel Gabrielson, Belmond, Jay (Liz) LeFevre, Clear Lake, and Joshua (Lauren) Daniels, Ankeny, Iowa; 18 grandchildren, Mackenzie, Cael, Carson and Cade Tenold, Robert, Chase and Lane McKenna, Kyler, Kortney and Kaleb Ackland, Preston, Kenedie, Bradan and Quinn Gabrielson, Emily and Tyler LeFevre, Addison and Adam Daniels; one great-granddaughter, Leah Ackland; two sisters Pam (Don) VanLanningham, Az. and Gayle Smidt, Britt, Iowa; one brother, Neil (Kathy) Gabrielson, Britt; brother-in-law, Warren (Kym) Sealock, Clear Lake; two sisters-in-law, Colleen (Gini) Sealock, Salem, Ore. and Karen Fickenwirth, Seattle, Wash. and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Florence Gabrielson; sister, Faye Gabrielson; brother-in-law, Louie Smidt and father and mother-in-law, Leland and Roberta Sealock.   

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.