Catherine M. Gabrio

Memorial service for Catherine May Gabrio, 76, of Biwabik, will be 2pm Friday, December 7, 2012 at Community United Church of Christ in Biwabik with Rev. Rodney Slessor officiating. Friends may meet the family at 1:30pm at the church. Spring inurnment will be in Aitkin, MN. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert. Catherine died Saturday, December 1, 2012 at Essentia Health in Duluth, MN. She was born August 25, 1936 in Duluth, MN to Oscar and Agnes (Nordean) Johnson. Catherine was a 1954 graduate of Duluth Denfeld High School and later married Donald Gabrio on June 5, 1962 in Aitkin, MN. In the early 1960's they moved to Biwabik where they owned and operated Don-Kels IGA for several years. Catherine was a member of Community United Church of Christ and an active volunteer for the Biwabik Area Civic Association and the Pepsi Challenge Ski Race. Survivors include her son, Brian (Jennifer) Gabrio of Hugo, MN; grandsons, Nathan and Daniel; sister, Margaret Klingelhofer of Aitkin; several nieces, nephews and many special friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Donald; sister, Helen Olson; step-sister, Edith Dery and a brother, Roy Johnson.