Fabian Zimmerman, 89, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Fabian’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, November 28, 2015 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Richardton, with Fr. Boniface Muggli, OSB as the celebrant and Abbot Brian Wangler, OSB con-celebrating. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Richardton American Legion, Theo R. Zech Post #180. Visitation will be on Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, and will continue on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., at the church. There will be a vigil at 7 p.m., Friday at Ladbury Funeral Service, with Abbot Brian Wangler, OSB presiding.
Fabian George was born on January 20, 1926 in Bismarck, the son of Valentine and Elizabeth (Jundt) Zimmerman. His early years were spent in the Richardton/Taylor area and later in Los Angeles. In 1939, Fabian attended an all boys school in Mount Carmel, Calif., and later returned to North Dakota, where he graduated from Assumption Abbey in 1944. Immediately after graduating, he voluntarily enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific on the USS New Mexico (BB-40). He was honorably discharged after serving two years. A few years after his discharge, he began attending Dickinson State College under the G.I. Bill. It was there that he met the love of his life, Minerva Forland of Watford City. They were married on September 16, 1950 at St. Mary’s Church in Richardton. They made their home in Taylor and later moved to the family farm just east of Taylor, where he built their home. To this union six wonderful children were born.
Fabian was talented in many ways. He loved building and woodworking. Until 1977, he worked for Sivak Construction, building many homes in Dickinson and the surrounding area. After 1977, he became a full time farmer. He relished the feeling of freedom when he was out on the tractor or tinkering on the machinery. Fabian’s hobbies included wood-working and making gifts from his craftsmanship for each family. He loved the outdoors and was in his glory when cutting and splitting wood at the Abbey. He also had a passion for antique automobiles, frequently attending local car shows. Another passion was baseball, which he developed a love for in his early days in the Taylor area, and became a life-long Atlanta Braves fan. Fabian valued spending time with his family, and will always be remembered as a very hard-working, loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Fabian was a member of St. Mary’s parish, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and a parish choir member for many years. He was a charter member of the VFW Joseph E. Lautz Post #7438, where he held many offices. He later joined the Richardton American Legion Theo. R. Zech Post #180.
Fabian is survived by his wife of 65 years, Minerva; six children, Steve (Kathy), Dickinson, Mary (Bruce) Ryan, Seattle, Wash., Mike (Mary), Minot, Lori (Jack) Elmer, Hebron, Leah (Todd) Miller, Dickinson, Crystal (Curt) Anderson, Indian Shores, Fla.; 17 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Betty, Dickinson.
Fabian was preceded in death by his infant sister, Dorothy Ann; parents, Valentine and Elizabeth; sister, Arlene Wilhelm; brothers, James and Tom; grandson, Christopher; great-granddaughter Ridley Geinert.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Assumption Abbey or to St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
