Fabian E. Kelly, 82, of Dickinson, died Monday, July 5, 2010 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Fabian’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 8, 2010 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Jeff Zwack as the celebrant and Fr. Dennis Schafer as con-celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Dickinson with military honors provided by the Dickinson Honors Team. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m. with Fr. Dennis Schafer presiding.
Fabian E. Kelly was born June 12, 1928 on the family farm north of Richardton in the Marshall area, the son of Frank and Christine (Commes) Kelly. Fabian was educated in Dickinson and participated in football and basketball. Fabian enlisted in the US Navy in 1946 and was honorably discharged in 1948 attaining the rank of Seaman Apprentice. He served in the Naval Air Transport Service, NATS, and was stationed at John Rogers Airfield in Honolulu, Hawaii. When he moved back to North Dakota, Fabian began his lifelong career in highway construction. He worked on many miles of interstate highway in North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming.
Fabian married Elizabeth Ruddy on May 4, 1957 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Grand Forks, and together they raised three children in Dickinson. Elizabeth died on December 25, 1980. Fabian married Ernestine Heinrich on August 18, 1990. Ernestine died on February 4, 1998.
Fabian belonged to the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Operating Engineers Local #49. He enjoyed playing pinochle and cribbage, shooting pool, vacationing, spending time with family, and attending his grandchildren’s activities.
Fabian is survived by his three children, Tim (Nancy) Kelly, Mary (Ron) Bachmeier, and Faye (Adrian) Krebs, all of Dickinson; six grandchildren, Erin Bachmeier, Chelsea Bachmeier, Robert Krebs (fiancée Samantha Bonner), Ethan Krebs, Sean Kelly, and Kaitlin Kelly; two great-grandchildren, David Bachmeier and Aidan Bachmeier. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives Elizabeth and Ernestine, his brothers Robert, Francis, and Wilfred, sisters Mary Ellen, Dorothy, and Margaret, and grandchildren Stacia and Seth Krebs. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Dickinson Catholic Schools.
