Paul Zachmann

Funeral Mass for Paul Zachmann, 95, of Baker, will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 13, 2023 at St. John's Catholic Church in Baker, MT, with Fr. Jolly Pathiyamoola, Deacon Bill Zachmann and Deacon Ron Zachmann officiating . Burial to follow at St. John's Catholic Cemetery.

The Funeral Mass for Paul will be livestreamed.

Rosary and Vigil will take place 4:00 p.m. Sunday, November 12, 2023 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker.

Paul passed away peacefully at home with his wife at his side on Sunday, November 5, 2023.

Paul was born on July 7, 1928,to Benno Zachmann and Bernadine Wey Zachmann at the family farm in Frankfort Township, Wright County near St. Michael, Minnesota.  He spoke German until he started school where he learned English.  He finished eighth grade and then continued to help support his family working on neighboring farms.   He and his brother, Carl began making trips to North Dakota in the summer where he worked on the Ernie Schmitz farm.  He met the love of his life, Frances Susa in Golva, ND during that time.  During the winter he worked at the Twin City Arsenal in Minnesota making ammunition, which he said was the easiest job he ever had.    He entered the Army in 1950 and was honorably discharged in 1953.   On May 4, 1955, he and Frances were married at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Golva, ND.  To that union, seven children were born. 

Paul and Frances moved to Baker, Montana in 1958.  Paul, worked for his brother-in-law, Ed Susa and helped build Saint John’s Catholic Church and the original Fallon Memorial Nursing Home.  Paul worked for Susa Construction until 1963 when he went to work for Fratis Construction building the south wing addition of Baker High School.  Upon completion, Zachmann and Goroski Construction was formed, building custom homes and remodeling. In 1980, he and his sons formed Zachmann & Sons Construction.  He continued building homes and started working in commercial construction.   These ventures included the Birthing Suite and the new wing of the Nursing Home at Fallon Medical Complex.  During his career, he completed many projects at all the Baker schools.  At the semi-retired age of 80, (although the foreman thought he was 68) he went to work for High Tech Construction on the Longfellow School gymnasium addition as the clean-up crew and worked his way up to full time carpenter.

He was a member of the American Legion, a Member of the Knights of Columbus Beach ND Council 3354, Miles City MT Council 1518 and a Charter Member of the Knights of Columbus Matthew Gappa Baker MT Council 6294.  He was also a 4^th Degree member of the Monsignor Hennessey Assembly 1865 serving with the Honor Guard.

Anyone who saw his knee replacement “apparatus”, knew he was a prankster at heart! As well as being a jokester, he lived the Ten Commandments and quoted the bible without saying a word.  No one was a stranger to Paul, and it was a rare occasion when he said the word “No” if asked to help.  He led by example and was the true meaning of a husband and a “Dad”. 

Paul was proceeded in death by his parents, Benno and Bernadine; siblings and their spouses, Lauretta and Robbie Hartman, Tony and Vi Zachmann, Carl and Ginny Zachmann, Frank Zachmann and Harry Zachmann.  He is also proceeded in death by Martin and Gertie Susa, John and Gertie Susa, Catherine and Sylvester Barthel, Ed and Liz Susa, Ben and Marlys Susa, Dorothy and Kirk Green, Frank Michels, and Don Sartz.   

He is survived by his wife, Frances, of 68 years, sons Dave (Becky), Steve (Karol), Robert “Bob” (Sherry) Gerianne (Ty) Livingston, Bill (Donna), Jeanette (Doug) Higgins, Susan (Dave) Stevens, 18 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren; Sister Alice Zachmann SSND, Cathy (Frank) Zachmann, Elaine (Harry) Zachmann, Clara (Frank) Michels, Marie and Don Nistler, Theresa (Don) Sartz and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John the Evangelist Greatest Need Endowment Fund (https://www.catholicfoundationmt.org/endowments/parish/stjohn/)