Richard Zabel

Richard Jean Zabel, 77, of Fairbury, NE, died Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at his home in Fairbury. He was born January 18, 1929 on a farm near Western, NE to Homer and Laura (Schwisow) Zabel. He was baptized February 10, 1929, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Daykin, NE. He was confirmed at the same church on June 21, 1942. He was raised on farms near Alexandria and Daykin and graduated from Western High School sixty years ago in 1946. He also attended Fairbury Junior College.
He married Iva Jean Marschman on June 1, 1952, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Daykin. They had five Children: Ellen, Nancy, Brenda, Crystal, and Steven. They lived on a farm near Western in Saline County from 1952 - 1960. In 1960, they moved to a farm seven miles northeast of Fairbury. In 1972, Cub Creek Watershed Project influenced their move one mile northeast to the farm where they lived until 1993 when they moved to Fairbury and semi-retired from farming. They held a farm sale in 2004 and fully retired.
Richard was a member of Jefferson County Farm Bureau, Jansen Fire Department, and Fairbury Optimist Club. He was an Archer Oil Dealer for 45 years, served on the Fairbury School Board, rural school District 49 School Board and was a former board member of the Jansen Coop. He volunteered for Aid Association for Lutherans and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans as an officer for many years. He joined Trinity Lutheran Church in Jansen in 1961 and served in many offices and boards.
He enjoyed geography and world history, traveling to historical places, and raising cattle. He also enjoyed watching baseball, basketball and the activities of his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jean of Fairbury; daughters, Ellen and husband, Joel Jank of Hastings, NE; Nancy and husband, Kim Kujath of North Platte, NE; Brenda and husband, Jerry Rempe of Wymore, NE; Crystal and husband, Randy Mauer of York, NE; son, Steven and wife Katie Zabel of Firth, NE; 12 grandchildren, Ryan, Jeremy & Aaron Jank; Megan and Jason Baker; Jacqueline Kujath; Jenna, Kylee & Elisa Rempe; Kendall and Christopher Mauer; Haley and Brody Zabel; brother, Wendell and wife, Arla Zabel of Davenport, NE; sister, Lois Sukovoty of Tempe, AZ; sister-in-law, Judy Angerer of Monte Vista, CO; nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law, Charles Sukovoty and Dale Marschman, and sister-in-law, LaDonna Troxel.
Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, August 25, 2006 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jansen with Pastor Stan Ostgren officiating. Burial will be in the Fairbury Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 23, 2006 from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. and Thursday, August 24, 2006 from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. at the Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Memorials requested to the Family’s Choice in lieu of flowers.