John Furbur

John E. Furbur, 73 of Devils Lake formerly of Hampden, ND passed away on Sunday morning, March 22, 2015 at his home in Devils Lake with his loving family at his side. Funeral Services for John will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Zoar Free Lutheran Church, Hampden, ND with Reverend Craig Wentzel and Reverend Robert Buechler officiating. Burial will be in the Storlie Cemetery, rural Hampden. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday, March 24th from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday one hour prior to the funeral service. John Ernest, son of Grant E. and Mary Lucille (Jones) Furbur was born on December 21, 1941 in Royal Township, Ramsey County of North Dakota. He grew up on the farm helping with the daily chores. At age 11, he moved to Grafton and in 1985 John moved to Devils Lake. He was associated with 4th Corp, Lake Region Corporation and for the last several years has been a consumer with REM. John was very active in the Lake Region Corporation Day Program and in earlier years he assisted in raising and caring for rabbits, chickens and calves and other animals. He always enjoyed trips to the Sale Barn when his animals were being sold or just for an afternoon outing with family. John retired in 2006 and was able to enjoy many hobbies and activities, including watching Western movies (John Wayne movies were his favorite) and TV programs. He loved drives around the countryside and especially trips to the family farm. He had a special fondness for horses and the cowboys who would ride them. John never missed a holiday celebration, a party or dance. He loved to dress in costume for all the Halloween parties and was the town sheriff this past Halloween. John’s limitations never overshadowed his generous, kind and loving heart. His innocence, his sparkling eyes and precious smile drew you to him and a bond would be instantly formed. John felt so blessed to have three families, his brother and family, the Werner family and the REM family. But they always felt they were the ones truly blessed to have John in their life. We have lost someone so very special to us and to everyone who knew and loved him. We hold his memory forever in our hearts. John is survived by his brother Jim Furbur and his wife Marva of Columbus, Nebraska; 4 nieces and nephews; ten great nieces and great nephews; his beloved North Dakota family Lee and Carla Werner, Hampden, ND; “sisters” Sara (Nathan) Erickstad, Devils Lake, Kori (Ryan) Howatt, Langdon, ND and Carly Werner, Hampden and the twinkles in his eyes Felicity, Aubrey and Gage Erickstad. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grant and Lucille. Casket Bearers for John will be Larry Ohma, Jack Neidlinger, Glenn Morstad, Charles Evanson, Robert Schill and Doug Schonauer. Honorary Bearers will be his housemates Kurtis Weisz and Clyde Vinfit