Gabriel Carl Mesteth was born May 15, 2001 in Rapid City, SD. He was a beautiful baby with long eyelashes that just got longer as the years went by. From the day he was born until the day he left this earth he truly brought joy into every single day. His parents and older sisters, Aja, Lainie and Nina, doted on him and when Max joined the family three years later, Gabriel finally had the little brother he had been waiting for. He was a little disappointed that Max was so small and clearly not a proper playmate, but he quickly recovered from his disappointment and patiently waited for him to grow.

Gabriel's soul went to its true Home on December 11, 2022, Gaudete Sunday (Rejoice Sunday). His body left on December 12, 2022, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. His family witnessed several miracles while Gabriel was in the hospital which gave them great comfort.

Even as a little boy, Gabriel had a deep faith. He was baptized at Immaculate Conception Church, where he also received his First Reconciliation. He received First Communion at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual, and was confirmed at St. Therese the Little Flower, choosing St. Cleopas as his patron saint because "Cleopas recognized Christ in the breaking of the bread." Gabriel loved being part of the Dead Theologian's Society at St. Therese and proudly wore his jacket to school. He was never ashamed to share his faith. He shared a special relationship with Fr. Kerry Prendiville, often calling on him in times of trouble. Gabriel was always the first one to say, "We should pray for this." He had considered becoming a priest or military chaplain, but then he discovered girls.

Bob the Builder was Gabriel's first role model. Mighty Machines were his first obsession and he decided early on that his deepest aspiration in life was to become a garbage man, a decision his mother supported 100%, knowing what a good living they make. The Power Rangers inspired Gabriel to learn his colors and become "a Ninja." He began jujitsu training at the age of five at Dynamic Martial Arts, which later became Black Hills Bujin Ki Ryu. After many years of training, he earned not only his black belt, but also his 2 ^nd degree black belt. Jujitsu gave way to boxing and Gabriel excelled there as well, even becoming team captain. His boxing moniker was "Gabriel 'Superstar' Mesteth," and he worked hard to live up to the name. After several years at Rapid City Youth Boxing, Gabriel followed Coach Ryan to Meraki Box. All of those years, in all of those places, were filled with mentoring, friendship, learning and straight-up fun. Gabriel also spent a couple years in hip hop dance classes with his brother, much to the delight of his older dancing sisters.

Grades K-5 were spent at Wilson Elementary, where Gabriel had many wonderful teachers and developed friendships that lasted throughout his life. He was enrolled at Kolbe Academy Home School for grades 6-8 and was under the tutelage of his mother, years she will treasure forever. Grades 9-12 were spent at Central High School, where many friendships flourished. There was JROTC, laughter, goofiness, drama (no, not the class) and everything else that comes with the full high school experience. Gabriel's favorite classes were always anything to do with history, politics, and the armed forces, passions of his since he was a little boy.

Gabriel loved big and with his whole heart. There was no halfway with Gabriel. He gave his all to everybody he loved. His sense of humor was second to none and he had the best laugh you've ever heard. His smile was huge and genuine. He was well read and smart as a whip. He was silly, outgoing, cocky and compassionate. He loved spending time at Grampa and Gramma's house in Hill City. He loved any event that was family-centered and always enjoyed spending time with his nephews and niece. He made sure his mother knew how much he loved and appreciated her. He was wildly protective of his sisters and brother and so very proud of each one of them. He loved his Aunt Stacy, Uncle Tom and Cousin Ashton and talked about them often, even though we were separated by many miles for many years. He loved his friends and their families the same way, always bragging about them to his mom and saying how much he loved them.

Gabriel loved being outdoors, hiking, swimming, target practicing, and nights around the fire pit. He loved making music with his friends. He was becoming a pretty good cook and was especially proud of his southern fried chicken and gravy. He loved animals, especially his cats, Miss Pittypat Hamilton, Nermal and Bentley. He loved memes and funny videos, often following his mom around the house to show her something funny he had stumbled upon.

Together with his friend CJ, Gabriel worked in the roofing industry for his grandmother's roofing company, All Weather Roofing. They had so much fun together, maybe too much sometimes. Most recently he worked security for Odin's Gate Guards, a job he was well suited for and thoroughly enjoyed. Getting paid to hang out at the bar with his friends was right up his alley.

Gabriel was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Collins Martin; his maternal uncle, Leland Kessler; his brother-in-law, Jonathan Peterson; his father figure, Jeremiah Janis; and his best friend/brother, CJ Garreaux Martinez.

Left to mourn his passing are his mother, Renee, and her fiancé Jason (son Cade); his sister Aja, brother-in-law, Chris, and their children James and Ellie; his sister Lainie; his sister Nina and her sons Hudson, Orion, and Tobias; his brother Maximilian; his sister Whitney and brother-in-law Trevor; his maternal grandparents John and Lynda Tomsik; his paternal grandparents Benny and Helen Guzman; his father figures, Ryan McGivern, Josh Usera, and Mutch Usera; his biological father Kenny Mesteth; his many aunts, uncles and cousins; and friends too numerous to count.

"I'll love you forever. I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."

The family wishes to acknowledge the doctors, nurses and staff of the SICU at Monument Hospital, Bridget and Iva of the Front Porch Coalition, Fr. Kerry Prendiville and Buck Dyck of Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.  Thank you for your care and compassion. Your kindness and support carried us through.