Marcel R. Sabourin

Marcel Rene Sabourin, 83, a lifelong resident of the Oakwood and Grafton, ND area, passed away on March 6, 2026.

Born on October 15, 1942, Marcel was the only son of Evelyn (Dauksavage) and Rene Sabourin of Grafton, ND. He grew up on the family farm just north of Oakwood, where he worked and farmed alongside his parents while attending St. Aloysius Academy. In his early years, Marcel worked at several places including Boone Brothers, Gerald French Farms, Skelley Mobile Gas Company, and eventually landed at Grafton Implement as a farm machinery mechanic.

In 1962, as a young man, Marcel spotted a blonde girl in a blue coat walking home from school. He saw her a few times, always wanting to meet her but not wanting to be too forward. Fate stepped in at the Hamilton Fair the following year. At the duck pond, Marcel picked a pin that read, “Wink and I’ll do the rest.” She winked, and that girl, Trudy Twedten, became the love of his life.

Marcel proudly served in the Grafton National Guard (957th Engineer; Floating Bridge). He completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he served and rose to the rank of E-5/ Sergeant. He was honorably discharged in 1969.

In July of 1966, Marcel and Trudy were married at St. John’s Catholic Church. They made their home in Grafton and raised their four children together: Darcy, Tricia, Austin, and Joe.

Marcel joined Hanson-Kopperud Implement their very first year in business (1973), working in machinery set-up and as a mechanic until 2002. When farmers saw him pull into their yard, they’d often say, “Here comes the doctor,” because they knew their equipment would be fixed. After leaving Hanson’s, Marcel worked seasonally for LeClerc Farms and, beginning in 2003, for Steve and Lee Lessard Farms, where he continued helping with their farming operations for over 20 years until he retired at age 82 due to declining health.

Marcel believed in honest, hard work and instilled that work ethic in his children. He led by example the importance of showing up, putting in effort, and doing your best. Growing up in a home of deep Catholic faith, he carried those beliefs with him throughout his life. He taught his children the importance of Catholicism, making them learn and recite their prayers, and he faithfully wore his scapular. Marcel was a longtime member of St. John’s Catholic Church and was also a member of the American Legion.

Outside of work, Marcel, affectionately known by those close to him as “Moose” or “Papa Moose” enjoyed playing cards, especially “In Between”, trips to the Shooting Star Casino, listening to old music classics, watching westerns and his favorite baseball team – The New York Yankees, grilling, making his flawless meat pie crust, collecting old coins, visiting with his former Hanson co-workers, and always enjoyed when his family was around. In the summer, you’d often find him sitting outside soaking up the warm weather with a cold drink in hand. He was a passionate gardener, well-known for his bountiful vegetables, canned tomato juice, and horseradish. He also loved taking drives to check on crops and farmland—remaining a “farmer at heart” all his life. While he enjoyed the simplicities of life, he was a man of many layers and lived life on his own terms.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Trudy; daughters Darcy Sabourin of Grafton and Trish (Ryan) Campbell of Bluffton, SC; granddaughters Temre Campbell of Green Bay, WI, and Mia Campbell of Bluffton, SC; son Joe (Jennifer) Sabourin of Fargo and their daughters Emery and Ava; sisters Lyndis (John) Lewco of Winnipeg, MB; Susan (Wally) Rodgers of Grand Forks; Bonnie Lindsey of Fargo; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Austin Marcel, his parents, Evelyn and Rene; his in-laws, Agnes and George Scharwark; sister Betty Fillion, sister-in-law, Ann Michelle “Mickey” Scharwark/Shaver; brothers-in-law Edgar Fillion and Jerry Twedten; niece Angela Shaver; and nephew Jason Shaver.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 11 am at St. John’s Catholic Church of Grafton. Visitation will be for two hours prior to the service at the church. Military rights will be provided by the Grafton American Legion Post #41 and the ND National Guard Honor Guard. Interment will be at the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery later in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. John’s Cemetery Fund or American Cancer Society.

Marcel’s service will be livestreamed via the Tollefson Funeral Home website.