Cecil Malard

Cecil R. Malard, 73, Menoken, died September 8, 2008 at St. Alexius Medical Center. Services will be held at 10:30 am Friday at St. Hildegard’s Catholic Church, Menoken, with Rev. Chris Kadrmas officiating. Burial will be in Menoken Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm Thursday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a rosary/vigil will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Cecil Ralph Malard was born May 20, 1935, in Bismarck, ND, the son of Ralph and Helen Agnew Malard. He attended grade school at Menoken and graduated from Bismarck High School. After attending college for one year at Bismarck Junior College he enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard on March 9, 1958 where he served for 29 years in the guard as a technician, he also raised cattle and began C & L excavating and grave digging for rural cemeteries. There wasn’t much he could not fix as a “mechanic,” but his greatest pride and joy was his backhoe. On December 27, 1960, he married Lavina Vetter at Church of St. Anne in Bismarck. They lived in Bismarck for a few years and then built a home in 1972 in Menoken, ND, where he resided for 35 years. They have two children and five grandchildren. Cecil was a quiet and loving caretaker of his family, which was evident by building a home close to his parents, taking his “sweetie” Lavina, to work on cold ND nights, being Mr. Mom while she worked the night shift, and as Shawna’s sidekick. He did not have many words but a quiet strength and affection for his family to make sure they were taken care of. He often played cards, “Go Fish,” with his grandchildren. Those who knew him knew that he carried his hand held “casino” in his shirt pocket, loved solitaire, and was well-known for his one-liners. He loved making the rounds of casinos when traveling. He enjoyed fishing and camping with family and friends. He had special travel memories with Lavina of cruise vacations and their trip to Germany. Cecil will be deeply missed by his wife of 48 years, Lavina, whom he wished he could have made it to 50 years. He is also survived by his daughter and son-in-law, DeeAnn and Larry Unruh; his son and daughter-in-law, Darren and Wendy; his grandchildren, Andrew and Shawna Unruh, Brenna, Seth and Brooklyn Malard all of Bismarck, ND and his brother and sister-in-law, Virgil and Carol Malard of Jamestown, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Cecil Malard

May 20, 1935 - September 8, 2008