Douglas Bodnar

Douglas Edward Bodnar, 73, of Langdon, ND, was called home to our Heavenly Father on June 18, 2023, Father’s Day, at Maple Manor Care Center in Langdon.

Doug was born May 12, 1950, to Edward and Doris (Hahn) Bodnar in Langdon, ND. Throughout his youth, he could be found helping on the farm or working at the family owned and operated Langdon Locker. He took pride being on the high school wrestling team. Not limiting his matches to only on the mat, his independent personality led him to the principal’s office and a phone call to his parents when he chose to disregard the school dress code by wearing cowboy boots to school, only after coercing his father (with extra persuasion from his mom) to purchase them, of course. After graduating from Langdon High School and furthering his education at UND, his love for country music, cowboy boots and his tenacious mindset led him to Houston, Texas, in 1978. He lived there for more than a decade putting his meat cutting skills to work at Kroger. During his time in Texas, he grew his legacy with the birth of his children: Nick, Nicole, Douglas Edward Bodnar Jr. and Anthony Bodnar.

In the early 90’s, he found his way back home to North Dakota, furthering his legacy with his marriage to wife Lisa (Fellman) and the birth of their daughter, Dannielle. He later purchased a local business, Regal Liquors, in Langdon. Doug’s passions in life were his professions, politics and storytelling. He could often be found having coffee with the guys and was well known for perfecting “Dad jokes” or, as his grandkids say, “Grandpa jokes”. He had a soft spot for dogs and could, at the time of owning dogs, be found walking them, which gained him the title of “dog walker” with the guys. His love for ‘The Wild West’ was always true to heart. Even when he no longer could stride the cowboy boots, he was doning the classic western shirt with black jeans and regularly enjoyed watching westerns such as Gunsmoke. Anyone who knew him knew he was always up for a cup of coffee, a few beers in his earlier years, a bowl of ice cream in the evening or sharing a ‘secret’ handful of M&Ms with his grandkids. His cheerful greetings, drawn out jokes and sheepish smiles will be wholeheartedly missed but always treasured.

Doug is survived by his wife, Lisa; his children: Nick Bodnar, Nicole Bodnar, Doug Bodnar Jr., Anthony (Bridget) Bodnar, and Dannielle (Chris) Bodnar Lill; nine grandchildren; his mother, Doris Bodnar; siblings: Gail (Jay) Breyer, Wayne Bodnar and David (Teri) Bodnar; sister-in-law Tammy Bodnar; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Bodnar, and his brother, Jim Bodnar.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at St. Alphonsus Church in Langdon, ND. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Langdon.