Fabian A. Blonigan

Fabian A. Blonigan, age 91.86 (4/17/1928-2/24/2020) of Golden Valley.

Survived by wife of 67.66 years, Mary Jo (Cavanagh) Blonigan; their 7 children, William A. (Teresa), Steven (Kathy), Mary (“Frankie”) Galka  (Doug), Joan Christianson (Grant), Maura Steblay (Richard), Sheila Gossen (Martin), Megan Berglund (Bruce); 22 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and 2 on the way.

Fabian and Mary Jo graduated Robbinsdale H.S. in 1946. Fabian was winner of 9 letters; captain of football, basketball & baseball teams; all-conference, MVP & all district awards; class President 9,10,11; 1946 Valedictorian; WWII-Era Veteran; PFC, USMC.

Though he lived through the Great Depression and his poor family sent him to live with relatives from approximately ages 2-5, Fabian worked extremely hard, discovered that children could borrow library books for free and became a scholar, opera and classical music lover, history and geography student, athlete and a GI Bill electrical engineer graduating the U of M. He had a very successful career as an engineer working initially for Bell Aircraft and General Mills and then as an owner of Marsland & Assoc. selling sophisticated electronic-test equipment to well-known companies, universities & institutions.

Fabian cherished his wife and family above all, whether coaching baseball/softball, basketball for kids, traveling the world with Mary Jo or physically building a cabin on Lake Vermilion and inviting hundreds of friends and family to share time in “God’s Country.” Over 100 people had a chance to visit him at North Memorial & Good Samaritan Hospice in the month before his death of cancer. Thanks to all who cared & shared.

Preceded in death by beloved mother, Elsie E. LeNoue; father, Anthony Blonigen; siblings, Twyla Bohlinger, Elaine and Quentin Blonigen and many in-laws; also survived by siblings, Verdi G. Blonigen, Fabiola T. Schmidt and beloved in-laws.

He made something from nothing; his hard work, a mother and wife who loved him unfailingly, and the feeling that he was lucky, prompted him to proclaim “I’ve had a great life!”

Memorials preferred to Little Sisters of the Poor, Salvation Army or donor’s choice.