Richard A. "Dick" Rabe

Richard A. “Dick” Rabe of North Fork, Idaho, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2025, at the age of 91. He was born at home on August 8,1933, in Ida Grove, Iowa to Bernhardt “Ben” and Florence (Earnst) Rabe.

On June 17, 1956, Dick married Donna Lu Spetman in Phoenix, Arizona, and together they nurtured a loving family, welcoming three daughters: Kimberly, Terry, and Tracy.

Dick earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University and spent his career at The Naval Reactors Facility on the Idaho National Lab, working for different companies, the first being Westinghouse. An honorable veteran, he proudly served in the United States Army during the early fifties and was a dedicated member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Salmon, Idaho.

An accomplished designer, Dick took great pride in building his log cabin at Ditch Creek in Idaho. The foundations were laid in 1977, and he spent his weekends heading up to the Salmon area to continue to build. When he retired in 1993, he and Donna were able to spend more time finishing their cabin such that they were able to host the wedding reception of granddaughter Kirsten and new husband Bill in 1998.

An accomplished wood carver, Dick took great pride in being able to look at a block of wood and “see” the animals inside that he needed to carve around. He carved all manner of wildlife: buffalo, deer, bears, whales, bighorn sheep, etc. One month the Purple Easel in Salmon, Idaho, featured Dick as their artist of the month!

Dick cherished the outdoors, often embracing activities such as hunting and fishing. His beloved dog Criska was a constant companion until circumstances led to his staying with daughter Kimberly and her husband Joe Ed in Cuba, Missouri.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Donna, his grandson Aaron Pederson, his son-in-law Timothy Klipfel, his brother Merlin Rabe and wife Shirley, and his brother-in-law Bill Gilchrist.

Cherishing his memory are his three daughters: Kimberly and husband Rev. Joe Ed Pederson of Cuba, Missouri; Terry Klipfel of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Tracy and husband Bradford Sipperley of Fairbanks, Alaska; his sister Lois Gilchrist of Waukee, Iowa, six grandchildren: Kirsten and husband Bill Beck, Kenneth and wife Ellen Pederson, Shara and husband Mark Petitfils, Benjamin Klipfel, Kayla and husband Dustin Harrington, and Jacob Conrad; along with twenty-one great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great nephews, and many friends.

Visitation will take place on Saturday, January 11, 2025, from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, located at 730 Fleenor Road, Cuba, Missouri. The Funeral Service will follow at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor Robert Knapp. A Memorial Service will be held on July 19, 2025, at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church for family and friends there.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Road, St. Louis, Missouri. 63105.

The Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba proudly serves the family of Richard A. “Dick” Rabe, ensuring his legacy is honored and cherished.