Maynard L. Burian, 66, Bismarck, formerly of Manning, died Thursday, June 4, 2015 at home with family by his side. Maynard’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Belfield, with Fr. William Ruelle as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the Belfield American Legion William C. Blair Post 144. Visitation will be Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, and will continue at the church from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Maynard Lyle Burian was born May 6, 1949 in Dickinson, the son of Laudie & Olga (Grosulak) Burian. Maynard was raised on the family farm 17 miles west of Manning. Maynard attended a one room school house, the Burian School, for his elementary years. Because there was no bus service in those days, while attending high school, Maynard had to stay in apartments in Belfield with other young high school friends and go back home to family on weekends. He worked at Schneider’s Chevrolet to earn extra spending money and to help keep him out of trouble. After graduation in May of 1969, Maynard was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served from 1969-1971. Maynard served in Germany for 18 months after which he was honorably discharged. Upon returning to the family farm, Maynard worked at various mechanic jobs, construction jobs, and as a roughneck in the oil field, working hard to purchase the farm from his parents.

On September 11, 1976, Maynard married Michele Fugere, “the love of his life”, (in his own words). For thirty years Maynard and Michele farmed and ranched together, raising three wonderful sons, Travis, Jared and Trevor. Maynard and Michele followed their sons to all their sporting activities, of which Maynard thoroughly enjoyed and was so very proud of their accomplishments. One of Maynard’s favorite things to do with the boys was to go camping and fishing. Both he and Jared were so excited a few years ago when they purchased a boat and were able to get out on the water.

In 1985 Maynard was stricken with Hodgkin’s disease. After undergoing intense radiation treatments over a period of three months, his health continued to decline and by 2006 he was forced to sell the cattle and lease out the farm. In November of 2011, Maynard underwent a triple heart valve replacement at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Because his health made it necessary to be closer to his medical specialists, Maynard and Michele purchased a home in Bismarck and have lived there since. Maynard so proudly cared for and fussed in the yard, where he enjoyed the peacefulness and the beautiful flowers.

Maynard took much pride in his farming and ranching life and passed on the values of a strong work ethic to his sons. He has been so proud of Trevor’s hard work on the farm/ranch, keeping it going and in the family. During his time on the farm, Maynard served on the Cenex Board and was the acting President/Secretary for several years for the Little Knife Royalty Owners’ Association.

In the past few years, since Maynard became less physically active, he has enjoyed reading many books and keeping up on all his friends through Facebook.

Maynard is survived by his wife of almost 39 years, Michele; his sons Travis (Kristin) of Bozeman, Mont., Trevor of Manning, daughter-in-law, Patti (Jared) Burian, of Ashley, along with three granddaughters, Kinley Burian, Miles City, Mont., and Landon and Chase Burian, Bozeman. Also surviving are his sisters, Ardyce Palaniuk, Dickinson, Patti (Harlan) Ingman, Killdeer, and Connie (Curt) Krinke, Bowman; along with numerous nieces and nephews.