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Arden ‘Art’ Gene Fabricius
Our dad would like to let you know that his work here is done. With great courage, he gave the final gift to his family and chose to go home to his Savior. With his family by his side, he peacefully passed away Saturday, May 4, 2019. While we are heartbroken, the reunion with family and friends takes him to a wonderful place where he is healthy and full of life. He is busy socializing, cooking, crocheting and “tinkering” with things, and laughter and love are most assuredly guaranteed.
Arden “Art” Gene Fabricius was born Oct. 8, 1943, in Windsor, Colorado, to Ferdinand and Mollie (Mitchell) Fabricius. He was the sixth of seven children all raised on the family farm in Wheatland, Wyoming.
Art continued his education at the University of Wyoming, graduating with a bachelor’s of science and master’s in agricultural engineering. During his studies, he married Bennie Louise Benedict on Sept. 1, 1963, and together they welcomed their first daughter into their lives. Upon graduation in 1969, the three of them moved to Kabul, Afghanistan, where he taught agriculture at the university and joyfully added another daughter to the family. While they deeply enjoyed their time with great friends and traveling the Middle East, the desire to come back to the States to raise their family superseded that privileged adventure.
Art left education and entered the insurance world. He became the Farm Bureau Insurance agent in Lander, Wyoming, where he met many wonderful people and built a very successful client base. It was also in Lander that he and his wife welcomed their third child, this time a boy, which was an answer to a prayer of Art’s. He wasn’t sure how to handle three daughters. Education was calling him back, so the family of five moved to Powell, where he shared his knowledge with his students at Northwest Community College for 17 years. Once again, Art surrounded himself with close friends and made lasting memories with those around him.
In retirement, Art and his wife spent time in Florida, but the Rocky Mountains called him back. They made him happy, as his three children were in this part of the country. Time was spent in Loveland, Colorado. However, two years ago he moved to Billings, Montana, which was his final home. He was happy because after 34 years he and his wife lived in the same city with their three children.
Although Art was a shy man, one would never know as he would engage any and everyone around him in conversation, a trait all of his six siblings possessed. He loved to laugh with those around him, and once a person broke through that shyness, Art would give of himself without reservation. He never passed up on a good time and was always ready for the next adventure in life, which often meant his children would keep him up way beyond his bedtime. He cherished those trips as did those around him.
Art was preceded in death by his parents, Ferdinand and Mollie Fabricius, his eldest sister Betty Estrada, and his older brother Ed Fabricius. He is survived by his wife Bennie Lou Fabricius, sister Franny (Gene) Robbins, brothers Jim (Patsy) Fabricius, Tom Fabricius, Al (Karen) Fabricius, daughters Kim (Shaun) Harrington, Kris Fabricius, and son Michael Fabricius.
A sincere thanks to Dr. Sorensen and the St. V’s 6 Fortin nurses, as they took such good care of our dad and us. Your genuine care will forever stay with us as we go forward.
Dad, we want to let you know you did a great job in raising us and wish you a very safe journey. We will remember with great fondness your smile, your kindness, and your unconditional love for your family, friends and life. Thank you for everything you did for us and know that we will carry you in our hearts and minds every day.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 18, at 1 p.m., at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the University of Wyoming Foundation or Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter.
