Margaret Joyce Abel

Margaret Joyce Abel, 90, passed away Sunday, August 6, 2023, at The Blake at Waco. A service to celebrate her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 9th at Trinity at Badger Ranch in Woodway, Texas, with Rev. Kevin Lentz officiating. The burial will follow at Riesel Cemetery, in Riesel, Texas. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8th at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home.

Margaret was born December 5, 1932, at her family’s home in Otto, Texas, to Paul and Mabel (Finn) Kuretsch. She was baptized on January 1, 1933, also at home due to icy weather, Margaret’s baptism was the first one performed for the new Zion Lutheran Church in Otto. Margaret was confirmed on December 25, 1946, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Riesel. She married Erwin Edward Abel at Trinity Lutheran Church on April 22, 1950, and they enjoyed 69 years of marriage until his death on October 4, 2019. Margaret was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. She actively supported her children through leadership roles in the Blue Bird and Cub Scout groups, and volunteering in the PTA. For 35 years, Margaret helped produce religious materials alongside Lutheran Braille Workers at Trinity at Badger Ranch, where she was a long-time member. She also enjoyed sewing and gardening, excelling in both areas. Margaret and Erwin were enthusiastic members of the Winnebago and Good Sam travel clubs, embarking on extensive journeys. They even traveled to Germany as members of the Texas German Society. Amidst these adventures, they loved to spend time together dancing and making many new friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Mabel (Finn) Kuretsch; her brothers, Willard Kuretsch and John Kuretsch; sister-in-law, Dorothy Paar; brothers-in-law, Ed Paar and Milton Fleischhauer; and grandsons, Scott Abel and Jordan Bayer.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Bayer and husband, Jerry; her son, Mike and wife, Lisa; grandchildren, Jerome Bayer, Jonathan Bayer and wife, Marcia, Allison Abel and fiancé, Jake Smith, and Lindsey Abel Lewis; great-grandchildren, Presley Abel Lewis, James Bayer, Titus Bayer, Noah Bayer, and Hannah Bayer; sister, Carolyn Fleischhauer; sisters-in-law, Sharon Kuretsch and Shirley Kuretsch.

Pallbearers will be Jerome Bayer, Jonathan Bayer, Jake Smith, Jimmy Rhodes, Jody Kuehl, and Cody Kuehl.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Blake at Waco and Bluebonnet Health Services hospice for their extraordinary care.

Memorials may be made to Trinity at Badger Ranch, 2 Ritchie Road, Woodway, Texas 76712, or Lutheran Braille Workers, c/o Trinity at Badger Ranch.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.