Harry Deichert

Harry Deichert, 89, passed beyond our sight into the eternal embrace of the Lord, March 27, 2012, at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck. Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Church of Corpus Christi, Bismarck with the Rev. Joe Deichert presiding. Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3:00 – 9:00 Friday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with a vigil prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. Harry was born on August 20, 1922, on the family farm South of Raleigh, the son of Martin Deichert and Emma Kuntz, and was educated in the area community schools. He treasured the family farm where, along with working the soil and diversified farm ventures, he surrounded himself with the prizes of his life—his precious family and faithful neighbors. As a member of the Greatest Generation, farming with his dad consumed his young adult years with a short venture with Civilian Conservation Corps in 1939 – 1940, after which he resettled into his love of nature and rural Raleigh. On May 13, 1946, after a brief courtship, he married Mary Ann Holzer at St. Gertrudes Church, Raleigh. The fruit of their devotion to each other materialized in the joy of twelve children, to which they passed the richness of country living, hard work, and practical wisdom. Harry and Mary Ann were active members of St. Gertrude Church and High School, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the school board where he served for 18 years. He joined the Permanent Diaconate Formation Program and in 1990 moved their home to Bismarck where Harry continued to do volunteer work, culminating in his Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate by Bishop John F. Kinney of the Diocese of Bismarck. He was assigned to Corpus Christi Parish, which he came to love as a second home. He also served with St. Alexius Hospice, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit and St. Vincent's Care Center. With a major change in the seasons of their life, Harry and Mary Ann found enthusiasm in retirement with a desire to continue sharing all they could in a new community. Harry was a man of dedication to his church and family. His devoted faith was evident in his many works with the church and community. In addition to proudly serving his church as Deacon for 20 years, the pearl of recognition was the selection of the Deichert Family as the Knights of Columbus State Family of the Year in 1997. Harry is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, Bismarck, and their children, daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Tony Hilzendeger of Bismarck, Angie Michael Wood of Anchorage, AK, Lil Bruce Isaak of Bismarck, Rose Russ Hockett of Duluth, MN, Jen Kevin Baltrusch of Plymouth, MN, Bernie Tim Rivinius of Bismarck; sons and daughters-in-law, Martin Sharon, Spearfish, SD, Pete, Raleigh, ND, Paul Danita, Bismarck, Fr. Joe, US AFB Honolulu, HI, Jim Sandy, Dickinson, ND, Jerome Cindy, Bismarck; 28 grandchildren and 12 great-grand children. In his immediate family, he was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Margaret Hartman; six brothers, Joe, Martin, Max, Pete, John and Bernard; and one daughter-in-law, Cindy Pete.

Harry Deichert

August 20, 1922 - March 27, 2012