Colin Artz
Colin Rae Artz, 74, of Glenburn, N.D. passed away May 1, 2017, peacefully after a 5½ year battle with cancer.
Colin Artz was born on Nov. 12, 1942, in Minot, N.D. to Annette (Stutrud) Artz. His first year was spent in Deering, N.D. with his maternal aunt and uncle Johnnie and Gladys (Stutrud) Tandberg. The next 14 years he resided in Watford City with his grandparents, Marius and Anna (Engum) Stutrud. He attended Randall School in rural McKenzie County for first through seventh grade, walking 4 miles each way to the country school. While on the farm, Colin milked cows and tended to the needs of his grandparents. In the fall of 1956, he moved back to Deering with his aunt and uncle and attended the eighth grade; he started his ninth grade year in Watford City but moved back to Deering to complete the ninth grade. In the fall of 1958, he attended Glenburn High School where he graduated in 1961.
In 1961, he rented a quarter of land from Sterling Knutson where he planted durum and rye; his first year of farming was a bust due to a drought. In order to pay off his farming debt, he went to California with his cousin, Ardien Tandberg, where they worked until the spring of 1962 when he came back to produce his second crop. He also custom combined during the summers of 1961 and 1962 with his Uncle Johnnie in Oklahoma. In 1963, he moved to Culbertson, Mont. to work in the oil field. After the urging of Lester Anderson, he came back to Glenburn to open Artz Westland Service. In the fall of 1965, he left the station and briefly sold life insurance. He went to Plentywood, Mont. the winter of 1965 to do seismograph work. In the summer of 1966, he returned to Glenburn to work for Olie Bradley assembling farm equipment. In the fall of 1966, at a dance in Upham, John Vaicee, a foreman at Matador in Westhope, urged him to go to work for Matador in Watford City; he got there only to learn they were opening a Belfield location so he worked there.
Colin was united in marriage to Constance “Connie” Simmons on June 8, 1968, in Glenburn, N.D. Four children were born to this union: Cassie, Cory, Chad and Cody. In 1975, he went to Crosby, N.D. where he worked at the grain elevator and began employment with Everett Hansen doing field work and hauling grain. He bought a truck from Everett and started his own business. He began work with Koch Industries in South St. Paul where he worked until he transferred to the Sidney, Mont. location. He left the over-the-road trucking business to work in Glenburn at MAC, Inc. He took a job with Premier PowerPlants where he worked until his death. Colin was a hard worker who felt purpose when he was working and providing for his family. Colin was an avid card player and Ford fan; he faithfully watched NASCAR every Sunday, even though it was rigged. He and Connie enjoyed trips to the casino and playing BINGO, Blackjack and pull tabs at the Grainhopper. He especially enjoyed his VIP status at Spirit Lake where he had many friends that he loved to visit and joke with; he was known for his special nicknames of every card which made the game that much more enjoyable (Snowman for 8, Mop squeezer for Queens; they go on and on). The most amazing thing about Colin was his gift to make others smile; he was always the center of attention wherever he went. His strength during his fight with cancer, which began September of 2011, was remarkable to say the least. He always said, “Cancer is going to have to live with me because I’m not going anywhere.” He lived that mantra until January 2017 when his PET scan showed the chemo he had been using for over four years was no longer fighting the cancer. He outlived Mayo’s prognosis by leaps and bounds. Although we didn’t want to say goodbye, his pain and suffering gave us the strength to GET-ER-DONE, per his request. He has received his reward. Rest in Peace, Colin. Our admiration and love for you is endless and we will honor you each day of our lives.
His loving family includes: his wife of 48 years, Connie of Glenburn N.D.; daughter, Cassie (Jason) Loard of Minot N.D.; sons, Cory (Lori) of Dickinson N.D., Chad of Minot N.D., Cody of Lansford; brothers, Ronald (Diana) Findlay of Sidney, Mont., Dennis (Jane) of Minot N.D., Gary of Bozeman, Mont., Jerry (Kathy) Findlay of Sidney, Mont. sister Donna, Mont.; sister in-law, Bonnie (David) Bacon of Shelby Township, Mich.; brother in-law; Kenny (Ellen) Simmons of Glenburn, N.D.; Special “Sister,” Jeri (Myron) Stromberg of Minot, N.D.; Grandchildren, Victoria Craig, Joshua Craig, Jack Loard, Niklas Artz, Thea Loard and Shawn Colin Artz. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Colin’s life was nothing short of interesting; he recently connected with a number of the Artz relatives he never knew growing up. He was particularly fond of cousins Jeanne Artz, Ted (Becky) Artz, Jim (Kelly) Artz, Pat (Amy) Artz and a brother, Roger (Jannie). It was important to him to have this connection and we are happy he found it even if it was later in life.
Celebration of life for Colin took place on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at the Mediterranean Room at the Holiday Inn Riverside, located at 2200 Burdick Expressway East, Minot.
Those wishing to sign an online register may do so at www.thompsonlarson.com