Donald Dukart

Donald R. Dukart, 67, of Killdeer passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 17, 2023.

Funeral Mass for Donald will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 21, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Killdeer with Father Joseph Evinger celebrating. Burial will follow at St. Edward’s Cemetery in Fayette.

Visitation for Don will be 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson, with a Rosary and Vigil starting at 6:00 p.m.

Donald Roger Dukart was born on July 31, 1955 in Beach, ND to John and Elizabeth (Geiger) Dukart. He was one of eleven children. He grew up on a ranch north of Wibaux, MT and graduated from Wibaux High School in 1973. He attended college for one semester, ultimately going back home to ranch with his family.

On May 25, 1985, Don married Jeanie Knopik at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dickinson, ND. The couple ranched together in Montana before relocating to a farm and ranch near Killdeer, ND in December of 1986, where they raised and homeschooled their twelve children. Don and Jeanie farmed, ranched, and raised organic crops. Don loved the ranching aspect, especially haying in the summertime.

Don was a huge sports fan. He rooted for the Yankees and Rams, but his favorite sports team was the Killdeer Cowboys. He had a vast knowledge of sports trivia, and he loved to share it.

All who knew Don encountered his unique sense of humor, which his kids inherited. He had an infectious laugh, and he was always telling jokes at the most inappropriate times. Those jokes were often followed by Jeanie yelling “Donald!” and scolding him.

Don loved being with his kids and grandkids. When his kids were younger and he was in charge of supper, he would make redneck cheese sandwiches and bring out the ice cream. His grandkids loved to tag along with grandpa on the farm, helping him feed the cows and drive his tractor.

Don was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a faithful parishioner of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Killdeer. The Catholic faith was an extremely important part of Don’s life. He honored the Lord’s Day by going to Mass with his family every Sunday and refraining from unnecessary work. The family prayed the rosary together every night before bed. He was a loving husband and father and was loved by all who knew him.

Don is survived by his wife of 38 years, Jeanie; his children, Nicholas (Jessica), Sr. Anne, Philip, Marie, Anthony, Shane (Amanda), David (Emily), Jane, Cole (fiancée Rachel), Faith, Keith, and Joseph; grandchildren, Michael, Elizabeth, Dominic, Katelyn, Gabriel, Felicity, Thea, Genevieve, Zelie, Louis, and one due in November; siblings, Will (Debbie) Dukart, Nancy (Les) Johnson, Gayle (John) Hardy, Elaine (Milo) Warren, Marilee (Steve) Tillison, Kevin (Jenny) Dukart, Denise (Jim) Siggaard, Ted (Laura) Dukart, and brother-in-law Don Anderson; mother-in-law Genevieve Franchuk; siblings-in-law, Tom (Susie) Knopik, Theresa (Arnie) Filipi, Steph (Gordy) Steffan, Tim Knopik, Francis (Connie) Knopik, Margaret Knopik, Robert (Deb) Knopik, Kathy (Jim) Zarybnicky, Marvin (Audrey) Knopik, Nancy (Chad) Stoltz, Mary Jo Baranko, Edith Barth, and Ellen Hochhalter; godmother, Darlene Armbrust; his godchildren, Mark Zarybnicky, Ben Dukart, Levi Lund, Matthew Knopik, Theresa Dessonville, Hope Baranko, John Gartner, and Sebastian Gesselle; aunts, uncles, many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Elizabeth; sister, Jane Anderson; 17-month-old brother, Lawrence Dukart; godfather, Ed Geiger; fathers-in-law, Stephen Knopik, and Charlie Franchuk; sister-in-law Sheri Knopik; and brothers-in-law, Ed Hochhalter, and John Barth.