Thorsten J. “TJ/Jerry” Sabie passed away Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Essentia Health, Virginia, MN, with his family by his side.
TJ was born on Aug. 17, 1938, in Devils Lake, ND, to TC (Bud) and Freida (Hassig) Sabie. He grew up and attended school in Devils Lake. He joined the Army in October 1955, and was stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged in October 1958.
He joined 3662 Ordnance Company National Guard at Devils Lake and was employed as the Small Arms Repairman, USPFO for ND, Camp Grafton, ND, from 1960 to 1975. During that time, he attended several ordnance, small arms and field artillery schools at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Aberdeen, MD. He then attended North Dakota State School of Science at Wahpeton, ND, and became a certified welder in 1976.
TJ and Patty Miller were married on Oct. 16, 1976, in Crookston, MN. They lived in Fargo, ND, for a short time until moving to the Iron Range in 1977 when TJ was employed as a welder at Inland Steel’s Minorca Mine. In 1979 they moved to their home in Embarrass.
TJ retired from Inland Steel as a production truck driver in 2001. Over the years he enjoyed scuba diving, chess, reading, music, old movies, shooting, gaming, and maintaining the property around his home. He was also a long-time gym member at Supreme Court in Virginia, MN.
Survivors are wife, Patty; daughter, Laura Cash; son, Steve Sabie; brothers: David (Becky) Sabie and Dan (Helen) Sabie; grandsons, Larry (Courtney) Laird and John (Kate Morin) Laird; great-grandchildren: Isaiah, Liam, and Levi Laird, Aria Merritt, Rosalie and Everett Choate; sisters-in-law, Peggy Miller (Jeff) Evenson and MaryAnn Miller; nephews: Jonathan (Susan) Sabie, Colin Sabie, Lowell (Amy Motteberg) Miller, Wes (Alley Engelstad) Miller, and Justin (Sara Walker) Jetty; and nieces, Isabel Sabie and Ariel (Brenda Truong) Jetty.
Preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Jan Marie Laird; son, Matthew Sabie; granddaughter, Jessica Laird Choate; nephew, David Briese; niece, Paula Ellefson; in-laws, Earl and Nadine Miller; and brother-in-law, Mike Miller.
Graveside services will be held in Devils Lake, ND, (Address: 1398 7th Street Northeast Devils Lake, North Dakota 58301) on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Gathering to follow at the Fireside Inn in Devils Lake (Address: 215 US-2 E, Devils Lake, ND 58301).
Arrangements are made with the Range Funeral Home of Virginia, Minnesota. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com.
Range Funeral Home of Virginia, 911 16th Street North, Virginia, MN 55792, (218) 741-1481.
