John Dvirnak

A Funeral service for John Dvirnak, 95, of Killdeer, will be 10:30 a.m. , Saturday, September 1, 2012 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Killdeer with Reverend Lee Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Russian Baptist Cemetery near Killdeer.


Family will be receiving Friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 1, 2012 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Killdeer.


John Dvirnak of Killdeer went to His Heavenly Home on Sunday, August 26, 2012 with his family was by his side at Hill Top Home of Comfort in Killdeer, ND.


John was born to Mary (Sahydak) and Jack Dvirnak on June 12, 1918. He was born in a sod house on his mother’s homestead in rural Killdeer, ND. The family later moved to the Diamond C Ranch. John attended Richloam Country School through 6th grade. He finished his formal education by graduating from the 8th grade in the Oakdale Country School. He was an avid reader and a life-long learner. John loved his life as a cowboy and rancher. He continued working on the ranch into his 90’s. After retiring, John and Alice found more time to travel and fish. John enjoyed attending and helping with the Killdeer rodeo, but he never competed. He rode horse many long hours doing ranch related work He enjoyed telling stories of summers spent on the reservation herding cattle. He also enjoyed breaking and training horses. On June 9, 1946, he married Alice Fannik. They were married at the First Baptist Church of Max, ND. John and Alice lived on the Diamond C Ranch near Killdeer. Some of their favorite times were on the ranch with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. John’s gift of hospitality showed through even as he moved into Hill Top. John and Alice were blessed with three children, Lois (Robert) Crandall, Wabash, IN; Joyce (Lee) Johnson, Galesbury, IL; and Lorin (Karen) Dvirnak who have taken over the family ranch. Joyce has four children, Alicia (Jeff) Warren, Naomi (Philip) Wai, Blake (Lydia) Johnson, and Debbie (Adam) Welty. Lorin has two children, Lori (Marty) Lundblad and Juanita (Jon-Paul) Steenbakkers. They have three great-grandsons and five great-granddaughters. John was a member of Killdeer First Baptist Church until it closed and then he attended Immanuel Baptist Church in Dickinson, ND. John amazed people with his knowledge of the Bible. He even had the correct answers when games like Bible Trivia were wrong. John taught Adult Sunday School and preached as needed. He was a member of the Gideons International for about 40 years. John and Alice liked to travel, camp and visit. They never knew a stranger. Alice especially liked to garden and their flowers were gorgeous. John worked in the garden and yard and he mowed the lawn even as he turned 95.


Survivors include; three sisters, Kathryn Lynch of Dunn Center, “Lolly (Alice) Starnes of Lubbock, TX, and “Nettie (Nadia) Maxwell of Boulder, CO; two brothers, Aleck (Grayce) Dvirnak of Grand Junction, CO, and George (Florence) Dvirnak of Longmont, CO; and three sisters-in-law, Kay Dvirnak of Killdeer, Lila and LaVonne Fannik of Max, ND.


John is preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Albert and Elmer.


John was instrumental in starting an American Baptist Church camp near Drake, ND. Camp Bentley remained important to John, in fact, he attended Men’s Camp at the age of 94. Memorials may be designated for Camp Bentley or Gideon International


Click to View Program (PDF)


Burial Date: September 1, 2012
Funeral Home Killdeer, ND

Funeral Service: Saturday: Stevenson Funeral Home, Killdeer, ND