Elinor "Sis" Rabel

Age 88 of Wyoming. Loving Wife, Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, passed away surrounded by family on April 11, 2024. Preceded in death by grandson, Jeremiah Tate; parents, Theodore & Elinor Hays; siblings, Chuck Hays, Shirley Barth, Betty Clayton, Ted Hays, Jack Hays, Gene Hays. Survived by loving husband of nearly 71 years, Larry; children, Candace (Mike) Tate, Larry Jr. (Becky), Carrie (Jason) Sanders, Cellie (Brad) Rhodes, Tim; 19 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends. Elinor, (Sis, Mom, or Grandma to family and friends) was born the youngest of seven children to Theodore and Elinor Hays in St Paul Minnesota. Their values, guidance and love provided the foundation for a life well lived. Throughout Sis’s life, family was her cornerstone. She married her kindergarten through high school sweetheart, Larry in 1953. In 1958, Sis and Larry purchased a mink farm in Wyoming, MN where they began building their own business and the home they lived in until her death. As soon as they moved into their new home, Sis began to remodel and design the home addition they would live together in for the next 66 years. Sis’s love language was expressed as an open door to family and friends, who always enjoyed plenty of hospitality and good food; her specialty, Italian spaghetti will be missed by all who knew its wonderful taste. Holidays found Sis’s home bursting with family, Christmas was especially memorable for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who all carry so many memories of a full house and family time. Sis’s meticulously clean home and neatly arranged flower beds were testament to her work ethic and pride in ownership. She was known to family and friends to have a kind and welcoming heart, and was respected for her strong will, confidence, and sense of right and wrong inherited through her German/Irish parentage. While family gatherings were a favorite, Sis enjoyed gardening and the outdoors, either on her patio at home, or enjoying the lake and patio at their Wisconsin cabin. Over the years, Sis and Larry in their camper or motorhome, travelled a great deal to the mid and western states, enjoying their time on the road or just enjoying a favorite campground. Campfires, whispering pine trees, and the lonesome call of a loon were among her favorite experiences. A celebration of Sis’ life will be held at 12 PM Saturday, April 27th with visitation beginning at 11 AM at Roberts Family Funeral Home, Forest Lake. Private family interment at Wyoming United Methodist Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed here.