Clemens A. “Clem” Gaab, 73, Richardton, died Friday, March 19, 2010 at his home. Clem’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Monday, March 22, 2010 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Richardton with Fr. Boniface Muggli, OSB as the celebrant. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, with military honors provided by the Richardton American Legion Theo. R. Zech Post 180 following the Mass. Visitation will be on Sunday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the church with a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., visitation will continue on Monday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., at the church.
Clem was born August 30, 1936 at Richardton, the son of George and Elizabeth (Himmelspach) Gaab. He attended school at Taylor and was raised in the Richardton area.
Clem was drafted into the United States Army in November 1960 and received his basic training at Fort Ord in Salinas, Calif. He served six months in Germany as Bay Chief in Ordinance and then returned to Fort Lewis, Wash., where he worked until he was honorably discharged in November 1962 at the rank of Specialist E-4.
Clem returned to North Dakota where he went to work for Clarimont Construction in the building of Interstate 94. In October of 1963 at the St. Mary’s Church Fair in Richardton he met Rachel Kuntz. They were married on February 16, 1965 at St. Anthony by Fr. Adam Hunkler from the Assumption Abbey. They made their home at Richardton where they also raised four children.
Clem owned and operated Clem’s Standard for 19 years. The business expanded to include wrecker service and freight deliveries as his sons grew into the business. Clem’s hobby and love of making sausages turned into his new business of G & G Processing. He worked hard as a butcher and took great pride in his work and products.
He was a member of the Eagle’s Club, American Legion and of the Richardton Volunteer Fire Department for 35 years. Clem loved getting together with family and friends to play cards, especially a good game of pinochle. He enjoyed camping, fishing and traveling to different states to see his children and grandchildren.
Clem was a kind and loving husband and father, and was very proud of his children and grandchildren. His courage and strength of character will always remain in our hearts as he fought his illness head on. He has taught us the importance of each day and how precious each breath of life is.
Clem is survived by his wife of 45 years, Rachel; their four children, Keenan (Laurie) Gaab, Pierce, Colo., Kim (Tim) Hamburger, Richardton, Kelly Gaab, Yucca Valley, Calif., and Kammy (Jacob) Lange, Ord, Neb.; 10 grandchildren, Jamie, Cody and Kayla Gaab, Joshua Morris, Dawson Gaab, Truman Hamburger, Wesley, Josie, William and Olivia Lange; one brother, Julius Gaab, Richardton; six sisters, Frances Weiler, Spokane, Wash., Cecelia Garza, Renton, Wash., Minnie Schulz, Mandan, Agnes (Nick) Rehling, Richardton, Pauline (Alois) Gion, Aurora, Colo., and Irene (Melvin) Geck, Glen Ullin; and two sisters-in-law, Marge Gaab, Park City, Mont., and Pauline Gaab, Richardton. Clem’s parents and four brothers, Anton, Mike, Leonard and John preceded him in death.
