John Jakubowsky

Funeral Mass for John Jakubowsky, 96, of Glen Ullin, formerly of Belfield, will be 11:00 am Central Time, Friday, May 5, 2023 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Gary Benz celebrating. Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Belfield.

Visitation will be at 9:30 am Central Time at the church, with a rosary taking place at 10:30.

John passed away peacefully on Monday, May 1, 2023, surrounded by his family.

John Jakubowsky was born on September 10, 1926 in Belfield, North Dakota to William “Wasyl” and Catherine (O’Bach) Jakubowsky. He was the first born to Wasyl and Catherine on their farm.

John never learned to speak English until he was in the 1^st grade, which resulted in him having to take 1^st grade over again. He used to say, “Can you believe anyone would flunk 1^st grade!” He went on to graduate high school in Belfield at the age of 19.

In August of 1944, John became sick with rheumatic fever, which took him a year to recuperate from.

During the years of 1948 and 1949, he drove the school bus using a 1948 Chevrolet truck. John would tell us kids this story often and was always beaming with pride as he did.

In 1950 he took a Farm Mechanics course at the State Industrial College in Ellendale, North Dakota. This is where he learned welding, auto mechanics, and carpentry. This helped John as he designed and built his ranch-style home in 1970.

On September 17, 1984 he married Erma (Morman) Renner, from which he gained four children, thirteen grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren (without ever having to change a diaper!). John was so excited and happy when his grandchildren were around; they were his pride and joy.

John and Erma stayed on the farm until 2002, at which time they both felt it was time to sell the farm and move to Bismarck, and later to Mandan. Because of declining health issues, John moved to the Marian Manor nursing home in Glen Ullin.

During John’s long life he was involved in many activities; he was on the Farmer’s Union Board, served on local and county boards, he was the county president, but he was most proud of his 4^th Degree Knight for the Knights of Columbus and was Grand Knight of his council for two years.

John left behind his wife, Erma; son, Allan (Nancy) Renner of Chamberlain, SD; daughters, Jean (Benny) Audiss of Winner, SD and Marsha (Glen) Burbidge of Circle, MT; his brother, Nick (Mary Ellen) of Eagan, MN; his sisters, Agatha Lipovac of Crivitz, WI, Emily Schweitzer of Bismarck, ND, Mary (Phil) Colozzi of Sundance, WY, and Toni (Norman) Heinert of Bismarck, ND; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Wasyl and Catherine; daughter, Jane (Renner) Faller; infant siblings, Anton and Janice; sisters, Betty Andriash, Eva Brueni, and Margie Fleckenstein; brothers, Bill Jakubowsky and Frank Jakubowsky; and brother-in-laws, John Schweitzer, Anton Fleckenstein, Bill Andriash, John Brueni, and Ray Lipovac.