July 10, 2013

Jack Akovenko

Jack Akovenko, 73, of West Fargo, N.D., formerly of Grassy Butte and Watford City, passed away Friday, July 5, 2013, at Essentia Health Hospital in Fargo.
His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 10, 2013, at the Fulkerson Funeral Chapel in Williston. Pastor Rob Favorite will officiate and interment will be held at Hillside Memory Garden in Williston.
Jack was born February 14, 1940, on the family farm in Grassy Butte, N.D., to Alax & Katherine (Sayahaydak) Akovenko, and was raised on the family farm and educated in Grassy Butte, N.D. Jack hauled gravel for several years, while also helping out on the family farm and helping neighbors and friends in the Grassy Butte area. In 1975, he started working for Heggen Equipment in Watford City, N.D., as a farm equipment mechanic and continued to work there for the next 30 years, retiring in 2005. Self-taught, he became well known in the area for his ability to fix and repair farm equipment and had an uncanny ability to repair all shapes and types of mechanical equipment, from kitchen appliances, to toys, to garden tractors, boat motors, cars and trucks, to hay bailers, to combines and tractors of all sizes, and was very proud of his long career in repairing Melroe Bobcats. His heart was always with the land, enjoying time on the tractor, bailing hay, plowing snow, and helping family and friends on the farm when he could.
July 12, 1975, he was united to his wife of 38 years Lorene (Haug) Akovenko, in Dickinson, N.D. He was the best father anyone could ask for to his two step children, Mark and LaVon, to whom he adored. He was also blessed with four wonderful grandchildren, Jaklyn, Isabella, Alexander and David, and loved them all very much. In 2005, Jack and Lorene moved to West Fargo, N.D., where he kept busy with yard work, snow-blowing, helping neighbors and enjoying retirement. He also enjoyed and cherished all the time spent with his extended (Haug) family.
Jack is survived by his wife Lorene, two step children, Mark (Shannah) Kueffler, West Fargo, N.D.; and LaVon (Shawn) Anderson, Dayton, Nev.; his four grand children, Jakyln, Isabella, Alexander, and David Anderson, Dayton, Nev.; his brother Ernie (Karla) Akovenko, Grassy Butte, N.D.; his sisters Dorothy (Phil) Jones, Tomah, Wisc.; and Emma Prokop, Three Forks, Mont.; and several nieces and nephews.
Jack is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, his brothers, John, George, and Alvin; his sisters Anne, Lena, Alice, and Helen; his nephew, Shane, and his niece, Marsha.
Friends may call at the Fulkerson Funeral Home of Williston on Tuesday from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m. and for the hour preceding the service on Wednesday.
Friends may share memories and condolences with the family at www.fulkersons.com.
 

WATFORD CITY WEATHER