Gabriel Bachmeier

Gabriel William Bachmeier 79, Rapid City, died Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Gabe was born on October 6, 1937 near Raleigh, ND to John and Anna (Blotsky) Bachmeier. He was the youngest of five sons. He worked odd jobs while growing up around McIntosh, SD. When he was working on the railroad in 1959, he married Evelyn Zentner. Their first years of marriage, they worked for various ranchers and started their own family. Needing a change, Gabe headed to Lead, SD to find work in the gold mines. His brother Gene intervened and asked him if he would be interested in becoming an ironworker. Gabe said, “Sure, I’ll try anything!” It turned out to be a good choice because for the next 36 years he traveled all over the U.S. welding on buildings, bridges, missile sites and one of his most memorable jobs was on a 1500′ tower by Faith, SD. After retiring from the ironworkers, for the next 10 years, Gabe worked for the Rapid City school system. Gabe enjoyed hunting, fishing, and yard work. He would push a lawn mower for anybody that would let him. Gabe was also a longtime member of the Eagles. Gabe is survived by his wife of 58 years, Evelyn, four children Charlotte (Mike) Englehardt; Novella (Jesse) Bloom; Bob (Lori) Bachmeier, and Anna Raue; 9 grandchildren, Jasper Bloom, Kaleena Wiens, Gabby Oates, Amber Hansen, Karlee Bachmeier, Kelsee Bachmeier, Gentry Raue, Weston Minnick and Tricia Engelhardt and 6 great grandchildren, Aspen Bloom, Brynn Wiens, Cheyanne Bloom, Diesel Bloom, Rowan Deines and Zack Wiens. He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.