Dr. Del Gab

A funeral service for Dr. Del D. Gab, 86, of Dickinson, will be held Friday, May 26th at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Dickinson with Pastor Lisa Lewton officiating.  Inurnment will take place at the Dickinson Mausoleum. In accordance with Del’s wishes, cremation has taken place.

Visitation for Del will take place on Thursday, May 25th at 5:00 p.m. at Stevenson Funeral Home with a prayer service being held at 6:00 p.m.

Del passed away May 22, 2023 at CHI St. Alexius Health in Dickinson. 

Del was born October 25, 1936 in Eureka, SD, the son of Fred and Lydia (Wolff) Gab.  Growing up he was educated in Eureka schools, later attending Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD.  Del married Joyce Opp of Eureka on August 10, 1958.  Del was a teacher and coach in Oakes, ND, and during this time his three children, Cindy, Jeff, and Michele were born. He taught one year in Starbuck, MN and then he spent the next four years at UND in Grand Forks where he completed his Masters and Doctorate degrees.  The family settled in Dickinson in 1969 and Del was employed at Dickinson State University for 13 years.  With a desire to go into business, he bought a Check-Rite franchise and later established the Del Gab Insurance Agency. For over 50 years, Del officiated football and basketball games.  He was President of the ND High School Officials for 10 years and a member of the National Board of Officials for seven years (also serving as president).  In 2003, Del was inducted into the National Hall of Fame for Officials and in 2004, he was inducted into the ND Hall of Fame for Officials.

Del was a member of St. John Lutheran Church since 1969, where he served as president and trust fund president.  In 1973, he was appointed to the Governor’s Commission on commercial air transportation and was instrumental in obtaining local air service.  Del served on a number of area boards, including the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation.  

Del enjoyed playing golf, being a sports spectator, reading, and jobs in and around the house.  He and Joyce liked downhill skiing, traveling, and after retirement, wintering in Alabama and Arizona. Del especially loved family gatherings and particularly times watching the grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their activities.

Del is survived by his wife, Joyce; children, Cindy (Mark) Sandman of Fargo, Jeff (Vonda) Gab of Dickinson, and Michele (Jeff) Willer of Ashland, NE; seven grandchildren, Lucas (Jenna) Sandman of Fargo, Jenna Sandman of Apple Valley, MN, Jonathan (Lauren Griffin) of Carrollton, TX, Justine (Cole Nesbitt) of Oklahoma City, OK, Megan (Corey) Amateis of Waverly, NE, Natalie (Andrew) Pearson of Central City, NE, and Leanna Willer of Overland Park, KS; eight great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Mary Gab of Eureka, SD, Doris (Bob) Peterson of Mountaintop, PA, Monica (Norm Waite) Opp of Boise, ID and Cori Kistner of Scottsdale, AZ, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Lydia Gab; brothers and sisters-in-law, Aaron (Margaret) Gab, Harold (Dorothy) Gab, Robert Gab; sister and brother-in-law, Ardella (Lloyd) Ernst and parents-in-law, William and Helen Opp.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to: St. John Lutheran Trust Fund or DSU Heritage Scholarship Fund.