William Emmil

William (Willie/Bill) Emmil, 86, Dickinson, ND, died peacefully on March 7, 2023 at St. Luke’s Home in Dickinson, ND.  Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. March 18, 2023 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New England, ND. Interment will follow at St. Pius Cemetery followed by a luncheon for family and friends at St. Pius Hall, Schefield, ND.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday,  March 17, 2023 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson, with rosary and vigil at 6:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue on March 18, 2023 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, New England, ND.

William was born May 21, 1936 in Schefield, ND, the son of Jerome (Rollo) and Anna (Huschka) Emmil.  He received his education at St. Pius School, Schefield, ND.  Following his father’s death when he was 9 years old, William took on the responsibility of helping with the family farm.  In 1960, William married Luella (Urlacher) in New England, ND and during this union of twenty-six years, they were blessed with eight children. They farmed and ranched near Schefield, ND.

William loved being a farmer/rancher and took great pride in his crops, hay and cattle.  He enjoyed making improvements to the farm which included breaking up pastureland, picking rocks, maintaining fences, planting and caring for thousands of trees.  He was a proud recipient of the 2015 Western Soil Conservation District Tree Award.  There was no place he cherished more than his farm and working alongside his neighbors.  He worked in the ND oilfields for ten years around the farming season.  He advocated for the Southwest Water Authority pipeline and collected commitments for rural service.  William was most proud of the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and in-laws.  He thoroughly enjoyed working on projects with them on the farm and ensured everything was done right.  In May 2013, William suffered a brain aneurysm and a stroke resulting in a move to Evergreen Senior Living Center where he enjoyed all of the social aspects and events.  He eagerly anticipated trips to the farm to monitor completion of improvements still on his list and check the crops and his beloved trees.

 William is survived by daughter Karen (Jeff) Jirges of Dickinson, ND and granddaughters Avery (William) Kinzel and great granddaughter Reese of New Hradec, ND, and Andrea (fiancé Brady Kalla) of Fargo, ND; daughter Jan (Jordan) Privratsky of Walford, IA and grandchildren Alex of Cedar Rapids, IA and Megan (Thomas) Knuckey of Muscatine, IA; son Bruce (Pam Cieszynski) of Bismarck, ND and granddaughters Courtney of Golden Valley, MN and Kaitlyn of Fargo, ND; daughter Laura of Fargo, ND; son Leon (Leah Roth) of Fargo, ND and grandchildren Logan, Lucas and Laina; son Neil (Tracy TePoel) of Minneapolis, MN and grandchildren Peyton and Myles; son Ryan of Fargo, ND and grandson Talen; and two great grandchildren due in 2023; sister Dorothy Emmil, Dickinson, ND; sister Irene Kovash, Billings, MT; sister Leona (Alton) Jacobs, Dickinson, ND.

William is preceded in death by his parents Jerome 1946 and Anna Emmil 1961; infant son 1969; brother-in-law Victor Kovash 2005; son Gerald Emmil 2014; former spouse Luella Emmil 2017; brother Herbert 2018 (Sarah) Emmil 2022.

William was an active member of the St. Pius Verein in Schefield, ND.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation via check made payable to St. Pius Verein.