Jack Bisenius

Jack (Papa) Bisenius, 86, passed away Monday, September 10, 2012 at the Cavalier County Memorial Hospital in Langdon after battling colon cancer since December 2011.

Jack was born February 28, 1926 in Buffalo, ND to Steven and Frances (Dodge) Bisenius. Jack responded to an early desire to serve and defend his country at the age of 17 when he left home to join the US Navy in 1943. Following boot camp, diesel training and UDT (underwater demolition training), Jack was sent to San Diego where he was assigned to the destroyer USS Greene. Jack was involved in major battles in the Pacific during WW II. At the conclusion of the war, he was discharged in October of 1946 and returned to ND and farming.

On October 10, 1949, Jack married the love of his life, Mary Ann Soli. Jack and Mary had four children: Jacalyn, Wendy, Michael and Beth. Jack and Mary raised their children and farmed in Hay Township until 1985 when they moved to Langdon.

Much of Jack’s later years were spent providing services to others in the Langdon community. He became the go-to repairman at the Langdon Country Club fixing golf carts for his fellow patrons at the course. To pass the long winters, Jack and Mary spent 21 years serving steaming bowls of made-from-scratch soup, hot of-the-grill spud burgers- which became a Langdon winter staple for many- and slices of Mary’s delectable pies at Papa’s Kitchen in the Langdon Curling Club.

With the necessary twinkling eyes, Jack donned that famous red suit each Christmas for many years bringing Santa Claus to life for believers young and old in the community with holiday visits to the Langdon Day Care Center, Maple Manor Care Center, and appearances at local events and parades.

In his youth, Jack was a catcher in baseball, but as an adult, Jack spent his free time golfing, bowling, and curling. In 1997 he and Mary traveled to Switzerland to watch the Langdon USA team, which included his nephew, Joel Jacobson, play in the World Men’s Curling Championship. Jack’s summers were spent on the golf course with his many golfing partners including Mary, who he golfed countless tournaments with throughout their marriage. Mondays sent Jack on the road as he traveled to regional golf courses for the Senior Tournaments. Tuesday nights were reserved for the guys and pinochle.

Jack was a devoted family man who loved his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with all his being, He is survived by his wife Mary of Langdon; children: Jacalyn (William) Thom of Langdon, Wendy (Darwyn) Smith of Brainerd, MN, Michael (Laura) Bisenius of Grand Forks, ND, Beth (Craig) Champagne of Grand Forks, ND; ten grandchildren: Travis (Chris) Thom, Nicole (Tim) Thom-Arens, Jon (Ashley) Champagne, Matthew Bisenius, Rob Champagne, David Bisenius, Jeffrey Smith, Kyle Smith, Michelle Bisenius, Andrea Bisenius ; three great-grandchildren: Lily Thom, Liam Arens, Chloe Thom; sisters: Elaine (Al) Smith of Renton, WA, Betty (Shelby) Gibson of Homosassa Springs, FL, Donna (Joe) Clark of Grand Forks, ND, Barbara (Bob) Waters of Pittsburgh, CA, Kay (Jim) Wendt of Billings, MT; brother Jim (Helen) Bisenius of Roseville, CA and many nieces and nephews.

SERVICES: 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 14, 2012 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Langdon, ND

VISITATION: 5-7:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Langdon, ND with a 7:00 Rosary and 7:30 prayer service. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to service time at the church on Friday.

INTERMENT: Calvary Cemetery – Langdon, ND