Anthony “Tony” Mack, 91, Dickinson, died Thursday, February 23, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Health Center, Dickinson with family at his side. Tony’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Keith Streifel as the celebrant. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military honors will follow the Mass and be provided by the Dickinson Honors Team. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday at Ladbury Funeral Service, with a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., with Deacon Ron Keller presiding.
Tony was born June 13, 1920 in Dickinson, the son of Michael and Margaret (Ehrmantraut) Mack. He was raised and educated in Dickinson.
He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935 and worked on environmental projects in western North Dakota and eastern Montana. Tony enlisted in the United States Army January 15, 1942 and was trained as a medic. He was a highly decorated veteran of many major battles of WWII in Europe. As a medic in the 771st Tank Battalion, he landed in France after D-Day and was involved in the battles in northern France, the Rhineland, Battle of the Bulge and central Europe, reaching the Elbe River near Hamburg, Germany across the river from Russian troops in mid April 1945. He received the Silver Star and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Clusters, for bravery and multiple wounds. The Combat Medics Badge, Good Conduct Medal and many service campaign bars and ribbons were also received prior to his Honorable Discharge in April of 1945.
Tony married Frances Schmidt on June 28, 1943 at Camp Bowie, Texas in the post catholic chapel. Following WWII they made their home in Dickinson and raised their children. He attended Dickinson State College prior to going to work for the U.S. Geologic Survey as a Hydroelectric Technician for 22 years.
He was an avid fisherman and gardener. He was a life member of the American Legion, having served on the burial drill team for 53 years. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans.
Tony is survived by his wife of 68 years, Frances; five sons and four daughters, Anthony (Donette) Mack, Santa Rosa, Calif., Dr. Terrance (Frances) Mack, Bismarck, Kenneth (Susan) Mack, Mandan, Patricia (Jim) Weinlaeder, Drayton, Keith (Nancy) Mack, Dickinson, Sarita (Richard) Turman, Bismarck, Kathy (Tom) Meszaros, Billings, Mont., Gilda Lubinski, Dickinson, and Robert (Barbara) Mack, Eugene, Ore.; 19 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and his youngest sister, Leona (Tony) Stroh, Killdeer. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Frank and Adam; two infant brothers during the flu epidemic; and two sisters, Madge and Pauline.
