Gayle Albee

Gayle Jean Hannah Albee passed away at Augustana Health Care Center, Minneapolis, MN March 17 following a recent diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer. Gayle was born to Warren & Betty Hannah September 15, 1943 growing up on the family farm southwest of De Smet. Graduating from De Smet High School in 1961 as the Valedictorian of her class, she then attended SDSU in Brookings SD. Gayle's passions for fabrics and textiles led to her 1973-76 employment by Amluxen's, Minneapolis' premier fabric store. She also played a key role in Sears electrical department in the mid 1970's. Gayle was instrumental in establishing KFAI-FM in Minneapolis and WOJB-FM radio on the
Lac Courte Oreilles (Ojibwa) reservation near Hayward, WI. She later became co-editor of the Hay River Review which she established in Prairie Farm, WI. In the late 1980's Gayle served with the staff of the Christine Center (retreat) in Willard, WI. Returning to Minneapolis, she was active in Ventura Village primarily in support of homeless Native people and Elliot Park neighborhood with her community gardening.
Gayle was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Robert, Rodney & David & sister-in-law Gwen Hannah. She is survived by sisters Nadine (Mel) Duncan of La Crosse WI and Jackie (Bill) Driscoll of De Smet SD and their families, an aunt, Vera Abrahamson of Brookings SD and her ex-husband Robert Albee & his wife Sharon of Lynnwood WA along with a host of cousins.
There will be a private family service at a later date.