April 3, 2013

William Dobias

Funeral services for William “Bill” Dobias, 99, of Cartwright, N.D., were tentatively set for 11:00 a.m., CST, Monday April 1, 2013, St. Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church, Cartwright, N,D., with Pastor Marianne Ell officiating. Musical selection was provided by Judy Lassey. Casketbearers were Robert Adams, Dick Wedel, David Lloyd, Derrell Reeves, Kirk Wedel, and Brett Lloyd. Honorary casketbearers were all of Bill’s many friends and neighbors. Ushers were Jim Gullikson and Don Croy. Interment was in the Yellowstone Point Cemetery, Cartwright, N.D., under the direction of the Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney.
William James “Bill” Dobias was born at home on March 4, 1914, to Frank and Anna (Dvorak) Dobias, and was raised at the family farm north of Cartwright, N.D. He attended Sioux Crossing School through the 8th grade, and then started farming with his father. When he became old enough, he worked in a filling station in Minneapolis, Minn. Bill met Lillian Johnson while she was teaching school in the Cartwright area and they married on Oct. 10, 1937. They moved to Portland, Ore., for a year where they worked in a canning factory. Then they moved back to North Dakota and bought the farm adjoining his parents.’ They lived in a log cabin until Bill built their home in 1943. Bill and Lillian were married 47 years, working together and raising their four daughters on the farm. Lillian died Oct. 29, 1984. Bill later married Dora Skogen, a neighbor lady who had lost her husband. They were married 22 years until she died in Dec. 2007. Bill continued to work and stay on the farm until he was 94. After surviving a brain aneurysm, he decided to move to The Lodge Assisted Living in Sidney, Mont. When he was having trouble getting around, Bill moved to Sidney Health Center Extended Care Facility in May of 2011, where he stayed until the time of his death.
Bill and Lillian were charter members and helped build St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Cartwright. Bill was also an active member of the Cartwright community, McKenzie County and North Dakota Farmers Union, Board President of Richland Federal Credit Union in Sidney, Sons of Norway and the Moose Lodge of Sidney, Mont. He was a civic-minded man.
Bill was a very kind, honest, and gentle man whose word was his honor. His love of family was always evident, and we couldn’t have asked for a better example.
Bill died on Saturday, March 23, 2013, at the Sidney Health Center Extended Care Facility.
Bill is survived by his four daughters, Sue (Robert) Adams, Forsyth, Mont., Aone (Dick) Wedel, Missoula, Mont., Donna (David) Lloyd, Lewistown, Mont., and Thelma (Derrell) Reeves, Park City, Utah; his nine grandchildren; his 13 great-grandchildren; and his two great-great-grandchildren; and his brother, Robert (Mary) Dobias, Billings, Mont.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, Lillian and Dora; his brothers, Ed, Frank, Joe, Jack, Al, Chuck, and George; and his sisters, Agnes and Alice and two infant sisters.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Cartwright, N.D., or a charity of one’s choice. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com.
 

WATFORD CITY WEATHER