Melvin R. “Moe” Fabrizius was born September 9th, 1936, to the late Solomon and Pauline (Deines) Fabrizius on the farm southwest of WaKeeney. He attended grade school at Bosna Country School located west of Trego Center. Moe graduated in 1955 from Trego Community High School.
He married Marian Davies at the Methodist church on August 1st, 1965, in Lebo, Kansas. She survives at home. They were blessed with two sons Chad and Brad.
Melvin was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church at Trego Center south of WaKeeney. During his youth Moe played football but especially enjoyed playing baseball as a teenager and even into his early twenties. Moe relished his German heritage. When he started grade school, he did not know how to speak English. He continued to speak German to his family and especially Carroll Fabrizius down through the years.
Following graduation Moe worked for Ben Deines Construction and Dietz Market where he learned to cut up meat from Don and Ferd Dietz. Moe always said he graduated from “Meatball Tech!” Moe started farming and working at the WaKeeney Sale Barn. Moe worked for 60 years at the sale barn and farmed for over 60 years.
Farming, raising cattle, and his family were the key elements of his life. He was dedicated and hard working. Farming served as his job and his past time. His family referred to him as a workaholic farmer. Memories abound about the good ole days of wheat harvest with brother Leon. Back in those days we would cut wheat till after midnight then go to Ginger’s for a five coarse meal. As years past the brother’s split forces, the machinery got a little nicer, and wheat trucks were replaced by semi-trucks. Moe was in the farming game long enough to see his grandson Chason behind the wheel of one of his beloved John Deere tractors. Moe will forever be remembered for his vibrant smile and huge laugh!!
Moe is survived by his wife; sons Chad (Jessica) of Ellis and Brad (Brooke) of Manhattan; sister Florence Flinn of Manhattan; grandchildren Chason and Jersee of Ellis and Brecken and Brittyn of Manhattan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Solomon and Pauline; brother Leon and his wife Ginger; brother-in-law Wesley Flinn; baby brother LeRoy and nephew and niece Scott and Paula Fabrizius.
Funeral services for Melvin will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, December 28, 2020, at Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th St., WaKeeney, KS 67672.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com