Edwin R. Fabricius

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather Edwin Rueben Fabricius was called to be with his Lord God on March 29th, 2017 with his family at his side. God gave him a life full of wonder and many challenges. He never backed down from anything difficult and his life was a witness to the power of God’s grace. Most men would have given up far sooner, but God had plans for Ed to his very last day with us.



He was born on August 20th, 1937 to his parents Ferdinand and Mollie Fabricius in Ft Collins, CO. He was the fifth of seven children all raised on the family farm in Wheatland, WY. Ed faced his first hurdle when he was struck with Polio as a young toddler, but his positive attitude and blindness to a disability enabled him to hold his own with the rest of the kids even though he was forced to use crutches for mobility. His schooling progressed without issue until his polio treatments sent him to the Shriner’s Hospital for several months as a young boy. Through pure determination and strength he was able to graduate with his classmates in Wheatland/Torrington, WY. The love and care from his brothers and sisters was instrumental in his success as a young boy.



Ed continued his studies at the University of Wyoming graduating with a BS in Education and Music. It was in Laramie, WY he met the love of his life, Evelyn. They were married June 14th, 1959 and celebrated 57 wonderful years together. The young couple rumbled across the prairie and Ed began his teaching career in Oshkosh, NE. They were blessed with two sons while living in Oshkosh. The family moved to Missoula, MT in 1964 where Ed began his new career with Aid Association for Lutherans as an insurance agent. The family moved to Bozeman in 1978 where Ed continued his career as General Agent, and eventually concluded his 38 years with AAL/Thrivent. He touched the lives of many people during his career, but retired due to complications from post-Polio Syndrome. He spent a great deal of his retirement with family and friends enjoying the beautiful outdoors of Montana.



Ed spent many hours in his wood shop working with his hands to make heirloom keepsakes for family and friends. He made picnic tables, lawn chairs, rocking horses for both sets of grandkids, and many other beautiful pieces. He also loved to play and work with his John Deere tractor. He sent hours grooming their beautiful yard making it a show piece in the valley.



Ed loved people, and he would do anything to help others. He could strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and make them feel like they had been friends for years. He loved to tease and play with others giving them a sense of closeness in a rude and cold world. He was full of life and never missed an opportunity to share his zest for life with everyone around him. Ed loved God and was active in church as the congregational president, elder, choir director, and much more. He was instrumental in establishing a path for a new facility for First Lutheran Church. His faith in God sustained him through many difficult times. He will be missed by all.



Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Ferdinand and Mollie Fabricius, his eldest sister Betty Estrada, and his oldest son Craig Fabricius. He is survived by his wife Evelyn Fabricius, sister Franny (Gene) Robbins, brothers Jim (Patsy) Fabricius, Tom Fabricius, Art (Bennie Lou) Fabricius, Al (Karen) Fabricius, son Gary (Lorna) Fabricius, daughter-in-law Bev Fabricius, grandsons Justin (Nikki) Fabricius, Kasey (Katryna) Fabricius, Derek Fabricius, Jared Fabricius, great grandson Jaxson Fabricius, great granddaughter Lottie Fabricius.



Funeral service will be Apr 8th, 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, Bozeman, MT. A lunch reception will follow in the church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Ed’s honor to the First Lutheran Church Building Fund, Bozeman, MT. Condolences and memories may be shared with Ed’s family at www.dahlcares.com.