Jerry D. Sabe, age 84, passed away May 27, 2021 at Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville, Florida. He was born on June 16, 1936 in Grand Forks, North Dakota to Richard and Frieda Holweger Sabe. He was a graduate of St. James Catholic High School. In December of 1955, in the midst of a North Dakota snowstorm, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Bartunek at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks, and their journey continued for 65 years. Jerry began his service with the North Dakota Air National Guard while he was still in high school and served for 4 years. Shortly after his marriage, Jerry began his dedicated career with Ecolab Pest Elimination Services (formerly Lystads). In 1965, Jerry accepted an area manager job with Ecolab, relocated his family to Wisconsin, and eventually made their home of 30 years in Grafton, just north of Milwaukee. In 1995, after years of developing lasting relationships with his fellow co-workers and many of his faithful clients, he retired and moved to DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Much of Jerry’s free time was spent on the golf course and the water. He simply loved golfing and fishing. At a young age, Jerry developed an enthusiasm and passion for antique cars. He was a member of the Chautauqua Cruisers Car Club and thoroughly enjoyed visiting with others and displaying his pristine ’68 Impala, which won countless trophies and awards at various shows. Jerry was a member of St. Margaret Catholic Church in DeFuniak Springs and loved his parish family. Above all, through all the years, Jerry was simply the happiest spending time with his best friend and the love of his life, his wife Marilyn.
He was preceded in death by his infant twin sons Robert and Michael; parents, Richard and Frieda; and many loved ones.
Jerry is survived by his wife and partner, Marilyn of DeFuniak Springs; his children Brian (Karen) Sabe of Grafton, Wisconsin; Steven (Barbara) Sabe of Defuniak Springs; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; sister, Dorothea (James) Richardson; sister, Ronda (Terry) Stromsodt.
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 7, 2021 beginning at 1 p.m. at St. Margaret Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you give to a charity of your choice in Jerry’s memory.
Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home of DeFuniak Springs.