Christopher Keith Hrabe

Christopher Keith Hrabe, 65, Salina, 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.

He married Jeannie (Keiter) on November 26, 1983, in Hartington, Nebraska. Andrew Christopher joined the family on June 23, 1990.

Chris grew up in Stockton. He graduated in 1976 from Stockton High School. He got 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, they received a double lung transplant at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. In 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, Chris received a stem cell transplant at KU Medical Center on March 23, 2023. Chris retired from the Highway Patrol on November 5, 2023, and started working part-time as a valet attendant at Salina Regional Healthcare Center on November 20, 2023.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Doyal and Dorthy; in-laws, Joe and Margaret; brothers, Brad and Alec Hrabe; brother-in-law, Brad Muir; 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; sisters-in-law Mary (Vern) Seier of Norfolk, Neb., Carol (Dave) Gubbels of Baudette, Minn., and Dianne (Adam) Hall of Lincoln, Neb.; brothers-in-law Bob (Jolene) Keiter of Gretna, Neb., Dave (Diane) Keiter of Kearney, Neb., Dan (Belinda) Keiter of Columbus, Neb., and Larry (Laura) Keiter of Lincoln, Neb.; best friends Eric and Francia Bird of Eldorado; 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, and doing odd jobs for others. He volunteered for anything and everything. He loved playing cards, attending family gatherings and 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), a parishioner of Sacred Heart Cathedral, and an advocate for Organ Donation.

Services will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024. Visitation is 4:00-6:00 p.m., with vigil services starting at 6:00 p.m. and rosary following the services at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Saturday, April 13, 2024, Memorial Mass at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral

As his last act of volunteering, Chris donated his body to medical research.

Instead 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.