Jack Messmer, 85, Dickinson died Saturday, February 8, 2014 at St Benedicts Health Center, Dickinson. Jack’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Father Todd Kreitinger as celebrant. There will be a lunch to follow at the Eagles Club. Inurnment will take place at a later date at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery. Visitation will from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson and will continue one hour prior to service time at the church. There will be a rosary at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Ladbury Funeral Service, with Deacon Ron Keller presiding.
Jack was born March 6, 1928, in Snow, the son of George and Rosalia (Keller) Messmer. He was raised on a farm near Hirschville, and attended elementary schools at Iota Country School in Gladstone and the Assumption Abbey, Richardton. Jack, with his wife Alvina, owned and operated The City Café, The Tastee Delight, and other small businesses in the Dickinson area. He was employed at Meyer Construction, the Job Corps and worked at St. Benedict’s Health Center until his retirement in 1995. He truly was a “Jack of all Trades”.
Jack loved the outdoors and shared that love with others as a North Dakota Game and Fish volunteer, having been recognized as volunteer instructor of the year in 2005. He was a member of Southwest Anglers, Lure ‘Em for Life, and the Eagles Club, serving as President in 1964. Jack was an avid card player and enjoyed watching rodeo and baseball. He never tired of cooking, getting together with family and preparing meals for them. His greatest joys came from spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jack is survived by sons; Bruce, Dickinson, and Brian (Denise) Minot; daughter, Wanda Anderson, Dickinson; grandchildren, Brandon Messmer, Aberdeen S.D., Crystal Fahlsing, Dickinson, Miranda (Joey) Marx, Dickinson, and Matthew Anderson (Brooke Barber), Dickinson; great-grandchildren, Grayson and Arabella Marx, Dickinson; brothers, George (Izzy) Messmer, Deadwood, S.D., Bert Messmer, Deadwood, S.D.; half-sisters, Elsie Tormaschy, Dickinson, Jane (Rod) Reith, Fargo, Shirley (Gary) Semerad, Palm Desert, Calif.; half-brothers, Harold (Delores) Messmer, Lemmon, S.D., Lee Messmer, Rapid City, S.D., and Jerry Messmer, Denver, Colo.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Alvina on February 25, 2000; an infant daughter; parents, George and Rosalia; step-mother Barbara; sisters, Louise Messmer and Rosie Reisenauer; half-sister, Mary Price; brothers, Jerome, Joe, and Leo; half-brothers, Richard and Frank.
Memorials may be made to Lure ‘Em for Life, PO Box 547, Bismarck, ND 58502 or St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson.
