Herman Rabanus

Herman (“Herm”) William Rabanus passed away surrounded by his family on February 28th, 2026, at Sanford Hospital, Fargo, ND. Herm was a prominent farmer and businessperson in the West Fargo-Fargo-Harwood area.

Herm was born on September 13, 1944, in Fargo, ND to Carl and Alma Rabanus. Herm grew up on the Rabanus family farm at 13th Ave and 45th St.  He farmed & operated the Rabanus Dairy business with his father and uncles as a young adult. Herm was united in marriage to Rhoda Berndt on October 16th, 1976. After marriage, Herm & Rhoda moved to Harwood, ND, where they farmed for nearly 50 years. Herm served in the North Dakota National Guard Happy Hooligans as a jet mechanic from 1964 to 1985. In 2004, Herm and Rhoda partially retired and moved into a condo in West Fargo. Herm and Rhoda moved into an apartment at Sheyenne Crossings in 2025. They made many new friends and enjoyed lots of activities in their new community.

Besides farming, Herm served as a church elder at Grace Lutheran Church, president of his condo association, commander of the Harwood American Legion, and was president of Rabanus Center and Rabanus West until his retirement in 2024. Herm and Rhoda enjoyed taking bus tours around the country, visiting Las Vegas, and spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Herm also enjoyed collecting belt buckles and staying active in the farming community.

Herm is survived by his wife, Rhoda (West Fargo); daughter, Renaye Clemenson (West Fargo), son Mitch Olson (West Fargo); granddaughter Mandy Clemenson (Minneapolis, MN), grandson David (Nicole) Clemenson (Fargo); great grandchildren, Rick and Harley Clemenson (Fargo, ND); and sister in law, LaVonne Berndt (Canby, MN). He is also survived by nieces & nephews Kris Ann (Myron) Pietruszewski, Shannon McCloskey, Tim (Kami) McCloskey, Greg McCloskey, Randy (Diana) McCloskey, Matthew (Bhakti) Rabanus, Ian Rabanus, Janice Steen, Sandy Steen, Patty (Jim) Holm, Wendy (Roger) Mullins, Tammy Berndt, Julie Berndt, Terry (Cheryl) Berndt, Jamie Parsley, Scott (Shawn Gensch) Steen, Shawn Steen, Sherman Steen, Kyle (Sherry) Steen, Matthew (Julie) Steen, several great nieces & nephews, and dear family friends, Eric & Angie Flesberg and family.

Herm was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Alma Rabanus; his siblings, Pearl Rabanus McCloskey, and Richard (Karla) Rabanus; his parents in law, Fred and Agnes Berndt; son in law, Rick Clemenson, sisters in law, Norma Berndt, Adeline (Lester Steen/Warden Ashling) Ashling, Winny (Bob) Giese, and brother in law, Harlan Berndt; nephews Kevin McCloskey, David Steen, and Curtis Steen.

There will be a prayer service officiated by Herm’s nephew, Father Jamie Parsley, at 7 pm (visitation one hour prior) on Thursday, March 5th, at West Funeral Home in West Fargo, ND. The funeral will be officiated by Pastor Michael Suelzle at 1 pm (visitation one hour prior) on Friday, March 6th at Grace Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND.  Following the service, the family invites you to join them for a light lunch in the fellowship hall in the lower level of the church. Herm was cremated and there will be a private family interment at Oakwood Cemetery in Harwood, ND immediately after the lunch.

Recently, the family donated a large military aircraft painting owned by Herm and several pieces of memorabilia from his time in the Happy Hooligans to the Fargo Air Museum. We invite you to view those items at the Fargo Air Museum at your leisure.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Grace Lutheran Church, the Fargo Air Museum, or your favorite charity.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

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