Cindie S. Fugere, 48, Belfield, ND died Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Health Center. Cindie was a beloved mother, wife, cherished daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Relinquishing her life on this earth after a three year remission from cancer. Cindie succumbed to the disease after a very short battle. Cindie’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Monday, March 12, 2007 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Belfield with Fr. Shannon Lucht as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. Visitation will continue at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and one hour prior the service on Monday. There will be a rosary at 6 p.m., Saturday at Ladbury Funeral Service, and a rosary and vigil at 6 p.m., Sunday at the church.
Cindie was born August 30, 1958 in Jackson, MI, the daughter of John A. Stanczak and Wava M. Kaiser. She devoted her time and passion to her large and extended family, and to defending and promoting the prairie and badlands that she loved so dearly. Cindie and Kevin co-operated a successful ranching operation south of Belfield. As a dedicated partner in their ranch, Cindie was treasured as a companion for not only her family, but also her neighbors. Believing in entrepreneurship, Cindie and Kevin purchased a ranch north of Sentinel Butte. This ranch became such a special place, as Cindie put her heart and soul into developing the home site on the ranch as a haven for hunters and nature lovers, calling it Camel’s Hump Lodge. Her authentic touch will continue to leave heart prints on many, at both Camel’s Hump Lodge and their new home on the ranch south of Belfield.
A graduate of Western Michigan University in Communications and Environmental Studies, Cindie worked as a park ranger in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, owned the Long X Saloon in Grassy Butte, and served as the Noxious Weed Coordinator for the State of North Dakota. As a lifelong political activist, Cindie devoted much of her energy to the Democratic Party, promoting local issues and helping from the grass roots up. She strongly believed in involvement to bring about positive change. Cindie also served locally on the board of the Stark/Billings County Soil Conservation District.
Cindie’s life was a lesson in laughter, authenticity, commitment, faith and love. She touched many lives, young and old, and will be greatly missed. Cindie is survived by her husband, Kevin; one son, Ian, of Belfield; mothers, W. Maxine Kaiser, Janice Walz, both of Michigan, and Frances (Kenneth) Adams, Belfield. Also surviving are sisters, Linda Bissell and Melodie (Kevin Spicer) Lee, Michigan, Arlinda (Dennis) O’Brien, Belfield, Michele (Maynard) Burian, Manning, Roxie (Tom) Inman, Drummond, MT, Tammy (Les) Simnioniw, Belfield, Amy Jo (Dave) Burland, Arlee, MT, Tracy (Aaron) Kessel, Sidney, MT, Lori (Dwayne) Shypkoski, Belfield, and Linda (Blane) Fugere, Dickinson; brothers, Mark Bissell, Michigan; also many, many cherished nieces, nephews and friends. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society to battle breast cancer.
