Arthur A. “Art” Safratowich, 81, Belfield, died Sunday, January 24, 2010 at his home. Art’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9 a.m., Friday, January 29, 2010 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Belfield, with Fr. Shannon Lucht as the Celebrant. Interment will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military honors will follow the Mass and be provided by the Belfield American Legion William C. Blair Post 144. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday at the church. There will be a Belfield Knights of Columbus rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., Thursday at the church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.
Arthur was born February 11, 1928 at Fryburg, the son of Fabian A. and Lena (Rodakowski) Safratowich. He was raised and educated north of Belfield, graduating from Belfield High School in 1945. Art served honorably in the United Sates Navy from March 13, 1946 to October 6, 1947.
Art returned home where he began farming and ranching. He married Kathleen Richard on June 12, 1951 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. They continued to make their home north of Belfield. Along with farming, Art also worked as an oilfield consultant, driller, at the ASCS office, and as a school bus driver.
Art belonged to the Knights of Columbus, Eagles, St. Anthony Club and also the American Legion. He enjoyed fishing, bowling and playing pool.
Art is survived by his wife, Kathleen; their six children, Arlo Safratowich, Belfield, Louisette (Pat) Zeller, Dickinson, Abra Safratowich, Dickinson, Lori (Scott) Zimmerman, Oviedo, Fla., Arnette (Jay) Arth, Wahpeton, and Lana Safratowich, Belfield; six grandchildren, Austin, Randy, Marie, Devin, Amber and Logan; three great-grandchildren, Farrah, Kylie and Kira; and two sisters, Sharon (Iwy) Obrigewitch, Townsend, Mont., and Marietta Huckstep, Riverdale. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his grandparents, Polly and Anton Rodakowski, and Mike and Josephine Safratowich.
