Christopher Keith Hrabe, 65, passed away Thursday, April 4, 2024, at KU Medical Center. He was born November 14, 1958, in Ellis County to Dorothy Ann (Thyfault) and Doyal Keith Hrabe. Services: Friday April 12, 2024, Visitation 4:00-6:00 p.m. with vigil services starting at 6:00 p.m., rosary following the services at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Saturday April 13, 2024, Memorial Mass at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Chris was united in marriage to Jeannie (Keiter) on November 26, 1983, in Hartington, Nebraska. Andrew Christopher joined the family June 23, 1990. Chris grew up in Stockton, KS. He graduated in 1976 from Stockton High School. He went on to get an associate degree at KTI (Kansas Technical Institute). He returned home to work at The Home Shop with Uncle Don and Aunt Janie. In 1992 the family moved to Salina, KS. He volunteered and worked at Vocational Rehabilitation Center. Then on September 7, 1998, received a double lung transplant at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. August of 1999 Chris was hired as a Communication Specialist II for the Kansas Highway Patrol and worked there for 24 years. After battling lymphoma twice, on March 23, 2023, Chris received a stem cell transplant at KU Medical Center. Chris retired from the Highway Patrol on November 5, 2023, and on November 20, 2023 started working part-time at Salina Regional Healthcare Center as a Valet Attendant.
Chris was preceded in death by his parents, Doyal and Dorthy and in-laws, Joe and Margaret; brothers, Brad and Alec Hrabe; brother-in-law, Brad Muir; sister-in-law, Carol Jo Hrabe; nephew, Michael Mongeau and niece, Tasha Keiter.
He is survived by his wife, Jeannie; and son, Andrew of Salina; favorite sister, Regina Muir of Stockton, KS; sisters-in-law, Mary (Vern) Seier of Norfolk, NE, Carol (Dave) Gubbels of Baudette, MN, Dianne (Adam) Hall of Lincoln, NE; brothers-in-law, Bob (Jolene) Keiter of Gretna, NE, Dave (Diane) Keiter of Kearney, NE, Dan (Belinda) Keiter of Columbus, NE, Larry (Laura) Keiter of Lincoln, NE; best friends, Eric and Francia Bird of El Dorado, KS; and 23 nieces and nephews and 48 great nieces and nephews.
His life was one of helping others. No job was too small or too big for him. He was an excellent handyman. He loved working with his hands, mowing lawns, doing odd jobs for others. He volunteered for anything and everything. He loved playing cards, attending family gatherings, Hrabe Reunions, walking and enjoying his cats. He cared deeply for the people in his life. He was a member of Stockton Alumni, active in the Knights of Columbus (Council #7674 & #601), parishioner of Sacred Heart Cathedral, and an advocate for Organ Donation. As his last act of volunteering, Chris donated his body to medical research.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Sacred Heart Cathedral for masses, to Stockton EMS, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Heart of America Chapter in Kansas City, MO., or per family wishes. Once his remains are returned from KU Science Research Center, his final resting place will be at Stockton Cemetery.