Roy A. Basaraba

Divine Liturgy of Christian Burial for Roy A. Basaraba, 96, of Dickinson, will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 3, 2023 at St. John Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Belfield with Father Martin Nagy celebrating. Burial will follow at. St. Josephat Cemetery, Gorham ND. Military Honors will be presented by Belfield William C. Blair Post #144 Honor Guard and Dickinson American Legion Post #3 Honor Guard.

Visitation for Roy will be 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Thursday, February 2, 2023 at Stevenson Funeral Home.  Visitation continues from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. John Baptist Ukrainian Church with a Parastas being held at 7:00 p.m., followed by an all-night vigil. 

Roy passed away January 29, 2023 surrounded by his family at St. Luke’s Home.

Roy A. Basaraba was born March 28, 1926, the youngest of nine children born to Mike and Pearl (Ewoniuk) Basaraba. He grew up on the family ranch in Magpie Creek in the badlands of Billings County.  Roy walked many cold days 1 ½ miles to the Black Butte one-room country school. 

In 1947, Roy graduated from St. Basil’s Prep School in Stamford Connecticut. He then earned a teaching certificate from Dickinson State Teacher’s College. On the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, Roy enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served 18 months in Korea as part of the U.S. Military Intelligence Unit. Roy was honorably discharged in September of 1952.

Roy met Ann Kanski and they were married on November 6, 1954 at St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic Church.  Roy and Ann raised their nine children on the family ranch. Working as a team the family completed household chores, milking cows, feeding calves, hogs, chickens, gardening, making hay, herding cattle, and branding. On occasion there was time to pick wild berries for jelly and choke cherry wine. 

In 1984, Governor George Sinner appointed Roy to the North Dakota State Health Department. He was instrumental in negotiating a state permit to establish Killdeer Hill Top Home of Comfort.  Roy served on the local school board, the Medora Grazing Association Board of Directors, Commander of Belfield American Legion William C. Blair Post #144, Billings County Veterans Service Officer, and Fairfield Community Club member. He also was a lifetime member of the Belfield Knights of Columbus Council #6310, where he served as Grand Knight and District Deputy. Roy was a major political party district chairman of the 39th Legislative District.

Roy was proud of his Ukrainian heritage and Ukrainian church. He served as a cantor, CCD instructor, and member of board of trustees. Roy strongly supported the establishment of the Ukrainian Cultural Institute and was a lifetime member. He contributed to the viability of the institute and was inducted into the Ukrainian Cultural Institute Hall of Fame.

On retirement, Roy and Ann enjoyed many pleasant times camping, boating, and fishing the big lake. Roy’s later years were of great joy of the companionship of his “Corgi Buddy.”  They both enjoyed many years of daily walks and stopping at the La Quinta motel for breakfast where Buddy would cherish many treats from his admirers.  

To honor the contributions of the Ukrainian homesteaders Roy established a grotto at St. Josaphat Cemetery in Gorham.
Roy is survived by his children: Teresa (Anthony) Kessel of Belfield, Donald (Carol) Basaraba of Fairfield, Bernadette Basaraba of LaPorte, CO, Kiki (Jeff) Haich of Dickinson, Stephanie Klym of Belfield, Patricia (Gary) Malkowski of Dickinson, Yvonne (Jason) Wock of Mud Butte, SD, Kathy Jo (Wayne) Cline of Beulah, Roy M. Basaraba of Beulah; 29 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren; cousin Sister Stephanie Dolyniuk; and numerous nephews and nieces. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ann; parents, Mike and Pearl Basaraba; son-in-law, Roger Klym; 5 brothers Sam, Peter, Ben, Steve, and William; 3 sisters Catherine, Josephine, and Elizabeth; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers and live plants, memorials are suggested to the Ukrainian Cultural Institute or the pet organization of your choice.