Grandpa John, as he was known to most, was one of the kindest but firmest grandpas there ever will be. Between his last 6 months battling with cancer and the last 2 weeks with dang pneumonia, he gained his big angel wings at 82 years young on Monday, January 13, 2020.
John Konrad Pabst was born on May 10, 1937, to Marie and John Pabst in Sheridan, WY. He had an older brother, Larry Pabst of Washington State, and younger siblings, Mag and Nancy.
John met Sybil "Joyce" Clements in 1955, and as the story goes, they were in love and headed off to get married in Lodge Grass, MT, on February 2, 1957. In 2014, they were back in that area visiting their granddaughters ranch and tried to find the old church (unfortunately no longer there).
John could repair and refinish any John Deere tractor that existed, but always favored the "B" line of equipment. If he could have, he would have kept every single green tractor he ever owned. John and Joyce owned and operated many different businesses throughout their 62+ years together. He was a woodworker, a craftsman, an entrepreneur, a dad, a grandpa, and a loving husband (even though jokingly on occasion telling Grandma Joycie . . . "If the price was right Joycie . . .You might be up for grabs!" Grandpa John always had a giggle and the best hug for anyone who needed it. He was always prepared to scold you when you messed up, but followed that with one of his infamous big hugs.
He held strong to his standards of "Do Your Best" with a loving way for his kids, 6 grandkids, and his 9 great-grandchildren. His pride grew when his grandson, Joshua John, and two of his great-grandsons were named after him, Clay John (age 2) and Ridge John (1 month). He loved life, his dogs, going for walks, running haying equipment, helping at the ranch, and being around his grandkids and great-grandkids. If Grandpa could have lived forever, we are certain he would have done so only to watch his great-grandkids and grandkids succeed in life and cheer them on.
He is survived by his faithful and loving wife, Joyce Pabst; children, David (Gerry) Pabst, and Carolyn Scheler; brother, Larry (Connie) Pabst; grandchildren, Krystle (Casey) Doud, Justine (William) Kougl, Jason Scheler, Tyler (Kelsey) Pabst, Joshua Scheler, and Christina (George) Thomas; adopted grandson, Karl McFarlane; and great-grandchildren, Clancy, Nora, Cody, Maci, Calissa, Cadey, Clay-John, and Ridge-John.
He was preceded in death by his great-granddaughter, Quinn Marie Kougl, who will meet him with a hug and will be ready to go ride the trails in the side-by-side in heaven above; his mother and father; his sister, Mag; and his son-in-law, Michael Scheler.
The Pabst family welcomes you to join them for a Celebration of Life for Grandpa John Pabst from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Friday, January 17, 2020, at the Rapid Valley Baptist Church located at 3450 School Dr., Rapid City, SD.

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