Robert Zabel, 1941-2022
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted May 18, 2022 | 9:10 AM / 507 views
Funeral services for Robert Zabel, 80, of Selby will be at 10:30 AM, Friday, May 20, 2022, at the United Methodist Church in Selby. Burial will be at Selby Memorial Gardens under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be Thursday at 5 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at the church. Robert passed away Sunday, May 15, 2022, at the Bowdle Hospital.
Robert (Bob) Duane Zabel, 80, entered Heaven on May 15, 2022 after a seven year battle with a rare illness called amyloidosis. Bob was born on October 21, 1941 to John and Lena (Weigum) Zabel in Mobridge, SD. Many were touched and influenced by Bob’s love for the Lord, his family, farming, and genuinely kind spirit.
Bob grew up on the family farm southwest of Selby, SD. He received his education at Hay Country School and the Selby Public Schools. He was united in Christian marriage to Darleen Bauder on June 23, 1962 in Selby. Bob and Darleen were blessed with three children–Karla, Duane and Steve. Bob and Darleen lived on the family farm until 1998 when they moved to Selby.
In his younger years, Bob enjoyed participating in the Selby Men’s Chorus and bowling leagues. He was a member of the Selby United Methodist Church where he served in various leadership positions, including the prayer group that he loved. Bob served on the South Dakota Wheat Commission for 12 years. As part of the Commission, he had the opportunity to travel to various locations, including several Asian countries. Bob also served on the Selby School board for many years.
Bob loved working on the farm. Along with his brother, Cam, and two sons, he spent hours working the land with his John Deere equipment. Initially, milking cows kept him very busy. After selling them, he began raising beef cattle. It was remarkable to see how Bob, Cam, Duane and Steve got along so incredibly well as they worked together for so many years. As he began taking on fewer responsibilities on the farm, Bob and Darleen were able to enjoy vacations to Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Alaska.
With less work to do on the farm, Bob and Darleen were able to spend several winter months in Arizona. Through involvement in Bible studies, church choir, Robson Ranch Singers, Roadrunner Convertible Club, and pickleball, they were able to make many special friendships. When back in Selby for the spring and summer months, he and Darleen could be seen on their Harley trike as they rode with the Dakota Riders.
Family time was very special to Bob. Camping, boating, helping with the race car pit crew and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s concerts and activities were priorities to him.
Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Grateful for having shared his life are wife, Darleen, of nearly 60 years; daughter-Karla (Dwight) Wahl of Sioux Falls, SD, sons-Duane (Rose Ann) Zabel and Steve (Tricia) Zabel of Selby; grandchildren-Kasey Wahl and Spencer (Jessica) Wahl of Sioux Falls, Kirsten (Noah) Temple of Minneapolis, MN, Sara Bender of Bismarck, ND, Erica Bender (Josh Skorczewski) of Aberdeen, SD, Dylan Zabel, Dawson Zabel, Miranda Zabel (Chase Chandler), Meadow Zabel, and Cole Zabel, all of Selby; great grandchildren-Carter Kannenberg, Emmeline and Silas Wahl; brother-Cam (Jan) Zabel of Spearfish, SD and four nieces and their families.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lena Zabel Carmen; fathers-in-law, Art Bauder and Art Himrich and mother-in-law, Clara Bauder Himrich.