D. "Ervin" Sabbe

Ervin Sabbe, 96, of Breckenridge, MN, passed away on Monday, September 10, 2018, at Pioneer Cottages, Breckenridge. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 14, 2018, at Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home in Breckenridge, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 15, 2018, at Breckenridge Lutheran Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. Rene Hasbargen will be officiating, and the burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery, Breckenridge.

D. Ervin Sabbe, affectionately known as “Ervin,” was born on the family farm in Hubbard County on December 29, 1921, to Oscar and Tillie (Carlsrud) Sabbe. His family eventually moved to the area near Rothsay, MN, where Ervin worked on his dad’s farm and for various other farmers.

Ervin entered the United States Navy on September 3, 1942, and was discharged on December 11, 1945. After returning home, he specialized his academic studies in the auto body program while attending the North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton, ND. He was united in marriage to Vivian Doris Bullene on June 26, 1949, in Fergus Falls, MN, where they made their home for a short time. Later, they moved to Breckenridge, and Ervin began working for Stoudt Motors (which became Loberg Ford) in Wahpeton for 43 years, retiring in 1987. After Vivian’s death on January 3, 2002, Ervin continued to live in Breckenridge until he entered Pioneer Cottage in 2014.

Throughout Ervin’s life, he was involved in several organizations: the Breckenridge VFW, Military Order of the Cootie, American Legion, Sons of Norway, and the Wahpeton Eagles club. He was also a part of the American Legion baseball program and the NDSCS auto body advisory board. Ervin had a talent for being able to fix practically anything. He was resourceful and creative, and he enjoyed spending his time in the garage tinkering on projects. He had a generous heart and the ability to make anyone laugh with his quick wit and stories. When he was not working on cars, Ervin could be found fishing, gardening, or watching baseball; he loved the outdoors.

Ervin is survived by his son, Lynn (Peggy) Sabbe of Wahpeton; grandchildren, Jennifer (David) Neese and her children, Isaac, Luke, and Adam Anderson of Fergus Falls, MN, and Reed (Morgan) Sabbe of West Fargo, ND; and sister, Vivian Stuehmer of Monterey Park, CA.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian Sabbe; daughter, Mary Anderson; and siblings, Eli Sabbe, Evelyn Drewlow, Erma Hugli, Kenneth Sabbe, and Ruby Priebe.