Benedict "Ben" Zastoupil

A funeral Mass for Benedict Zastoupil, 91, of South Heart, will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in South Heart with Father Shannon Lucht celebrating.  Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation for Ben will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson with a rosary and vigil service being held at 6:00 p.m.

Ben passed away Thursday, August 24, 2023 at Sanford Medical Center, Bismarck, ND.

Benedict G. Zastoupil, son of Joseph S. and Rose (Kostelecky) Zastoupil, was born February 27, 1932 in Stark County.  He attended Ash Coulee country school through his elementary years.  Being the oldest of nine children, he worked on the farm alongside his father until he was drafted into the US Army in 1953, serving duty in France until being honorably discharged as a Corporal in 1955.  Ben returned home and continued to farm until September 23, 1957, when he married Gladys C. Frank at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dickinson.  Together they purchased and moved to a farm northeast of South Heart.  There they raised grain and cattle and later operated Zastoupil Hide and Fur.  On this farm, they raised their five sons, Dennis, Melvin, Dean, Rodney and Patrick.  

Ben took an interest in fur trapping in his teen years and always looked forward to the trapping season his whole life.  He also liked to go fishing in the summer.  Later in life, he enjoyed playing blackjack, bingo, cards, watching tv, and trying to keep up on all the latest by doing a lot of reading.  Ben looked forward to his Saturday morning get-togethers with his brothers and friends.  

Benedict was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in South Heart, where he was an usher and served on the parish council.  He was also a member of St. Pius Verein, St. Anthony Club, Senior Citizens of South Heart, Fur Takers of America, and North Dakota Fur Takers which he helped organize and served as an officer for many years.  He received a special award by being inducted into the North Dakota Trappers Hall of Fame for all his services. Ben was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 6308, in which he served as their Grand Knight and many other offices. The Zastoupil’s were chosen twice as the Catholic Family of the Year. 

Ben is survived by his wife, Gladys; sons, Dennis (Mary Kostelecky), Melvin (Laurie Sticka), both of Dickinson, Dean (Jamie Nuss) of Fargo, Rodney (Brenda Ficek) of Bismarck; six grandchildren, Christine (Michael Jordan), Melissa (Michael Digatono), Garret and Grant Zastoupil, Dallas and Cory Zastoupil; three great-grandsons, Joshua Jordan, Zachary Jordan, Reuben Digatono; one great-granddaughter, Cedella Digatono; brothers, David (Delores), Bernard (Bernie), Daniel (Jean), Joseph Jr., all of Dickinson; sisters, Sister Renee and Sister Rosanne O.S.B. of Bismarck; sister-in-law, Gladys M. Zastoupil of Rapid City. 

He was preceded in death by one son, Patrick; parents, Joseph S. and Rose Zastoupil; brothers, Martin and Norbert; and sisters-in-law, Alice and Georgianne Zastoupil.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are recommended to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, South Heart.