Christopher Keith Hrabe
Chris Hrabe
SALINA, Kan. — Christopher Keith Hrabe, 65, died April 4, 2024, at Kansas University Medical Center.
Visitation, with vigil services and rosary, were April 12 at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Memorial Mass was held April 13 at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Chris was born Nov. 14, 1958, in Ellis County, to Dorothy Ann (Thyfault) and Doyal Keith Hrabe. He married Jeannie (Keiter) Nov. 26, 1983, in Hartington. Andrew Christopher joined the family June 23, 1990.
Chris grew up in Stockton, Kan. He graduated 1976 from Stockton High School. He went on to get an associate degree at Kansas Technical Institute. He returned home to work at The Home Shop with his uncle, Don, and aunt, Janie. In 1992, the family moved to Salina. He volunteered and worked at Vocational Rehabilitation Center. He received a double lung transplant Sept. 7, 1998, at Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Mo. August 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 March 23, 2023, at KU Medical Center. Chris retired from the Highway Patrol Nov. 5, 2023, and Nov. 20, 2023, started working part-time at Salina Regional Healthcare Center as a Valet Attendant.
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.
He is survived by his wife, Jeannie; son, Andrew, Salina, Kan.; favorite sister, Regina Muir, Stockton, Kan.; sisters-in-law, Mary (Vern) Seier Norfolk; Carol (Dave) Gubbels, Baudette, Minn.; and Dianne (Adam) Hall, Lincoln; brothers-in-law: Bob (Jolene) Keiter, Gretna; Dave (Diane) Keiter, Kearney; Dan (Belinda) Keiter, Columbus; Larry (Laura) Keiter, Lincoln; best friends, Eric and Francia Bird, Eldorado, Kan.; and 23 nieces and nephews, and 48 great-nieces and nephews.
Chris was preceded in death by his parents, Doyal and Dorothy; and inlaws, Joe & Margaret Keiter; brothers, Brad & Alec Hrabe; brother-in-Law, Brad Muir; sister-in-law, Carol Jo Hrabe; nephew, Michael Mongeau; and niece, Tasha Keiter.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Sacred Heart Cathedral for Masses, to Stockton EMS, or per family wishes.
Once his remains are returned from KU Science Research Center, his final resting place will be at Stockton Catholic Cemetery.