Doug Blumhardt

Doug Blumhardt, 49, Bismarck, died April 9, 2014, at home surrounded by family after courageously fighting a 7-month battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, April 12, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Burial will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation, cremation has taken place. Doug was born January 21, 1965, to Paul and Jody Blumhardt in Flandreau, SD. He moved with his parents to Aberdeen, SD, in 1967, and to Bismarck in 1978. He graduated from Bismarck High School in 1983. He received his Associates Degree from Bismarck State College. He went on to receive his Bachelor of Science Degree in English Education from Moorhead State University and his Master's Degree from St. Cloud University. He married Marie Marczak on January 20, 1989. They moved to Poland and served in the Peace Corps as English teachers from 1991-1993. He attended graduate school at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff for one year before moving to International Falls, MN, in 1994. While there, he taught English at the Alternative High School and at Rainy River Community College. Doug and Marie had two daughters, Zoe Evalina, born February 27, 1996, and Magdalena Rose, born October 27, 1998. They were the pride and joy of his life. His family moved to Bemidji, MN, in 2011. There he taught English in Cass Lake and Clearbrook. He moved to Bismarck in September of 2013, where he received excellent cancer treatment at Sanford Oncology and Bismarck Cancer Center. Doug made friends easily wherever he went. He loved writing and reading poetry, fishing and camping with friends and family, and watching any kind of sport on television. He had a life-long love of alternative music and a later in life passion for playing poker. Doug is survived by his wife, Marie and daughters, Zoe and Magda, Bemidji, MN; his parents, Paul and Jody, Bismarck; his sister, Kristi Mick Johnson, Bismarck; mother-in-law, Wanda Marczak, St. Cloud, MN; brother-in-law, Jim Amber Marczak, Lynnwood, WA; and niece and nephew, Allie Travis Hill, and Andrew Johnson, Bismarck. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Roger Marczak; and his grandparents, G.A. and Eva Blumhardt and Gerry and Myrtle Rigney. Memorials will be used for Zoe and Magda's college education.

Doug Blumhardt

January 21, 1965 - April 9, 2014