Gabrielle "Gabe" Marie Blood

Gabrielle Marie Blood (Gabe) entered life on May 22, 1946, and entered eternal life on May 23, 2024.  Gabe was born in San Carlos, CA, the daughter of Elsie G. and Joel S. Blood.   She married Dennis Klaila on August 29, 1987, at St. Paul’s University Catholic Center in Madison, WI.

Gabe was a proud graduate of Mt. Angel College in Mt. Angel, Oregon, and the University of Wisconsin School of Social Work.  She worked for over forty years for the State of Wisconsin in the areas of developmental disabilities and child care support.

Gabe had a deep sense of social justice, and expressed that passion in the many groups with which she volunteered her time, including The Capital Times Kids Fund reviewing grant applications, as an associate member of the Sisters of Charity, on the board of the Evangelical Ecumenical Women’s Caucus, and as a member of Women’s Church, Call to Action, St. Paul’s Charismatic Prayer Group, and Lake Edge Lutheran Church. Gabe was known known for gathering friends together for events and meals, and helping her friends stay connected.

Gabe is survived by her husband, Dennis Klaila, two nieces, Linda M. Blood and Judith Maich, a nephew, David Blood, and a wonderful host of friends that made her life so special.  She was preceded in in death by her parents, Elsie G. and Joel S. Blood, her brother, Joel R. Blood, and her dear aunt, Sr. Catherine Montessoro, BVM.

A memorial celebration of her life will be held at Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, at 11:00 am on June 12, 2024.  In lieu of gifts or flowers, friends welcome to contribute a gift in Gabe’s name to either The Cap Times Kids Fund, 1901 Fish Hatchery Road, Madison, WI  53713, or Sisters of Charity, BVM, 1100 Carmel Drive, Dubuque, IA  52003.

The family extends a sincere heart-felt thank you to the staff at Four Winds Manor in Verona and the staff at SSM Health for their gracious and compassionate care for Gabe during her illness.