John Kambeitz

John J. Kambeitz, 89, Napoleon, died July 4, 2005, at a Napoleon care center. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 7, at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Napoleon, with Revs. Donald Leiphon and James Gross officiating. Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, with military rites by VFW Post 1326. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. today at St. Philip's Catholic Church. A rosary will be said at 2:000 p.m. and a vigil service will be held at 7:30 p.m. John was born on June 27, 1916, in rural Napoleon to Paul and Anna Mary Becker Kambeitz. He attended rural grade school and graduated from Napoleon High School in 1935. Following his graduation, he taught rural Napoleon schools for four years. He spent six months in the CCC's, working near Two Harbors, Minnesota. He attended and graduated from Interstate Business College in Fargo in 1940. He began working at the Bank of Marion in 1941. He married Bertha Gross on September 22, 1941. He entered the U.S. Army on April 7, 1942, and spent three and one-half years with the 1st Cavalry in the South Pacific Theater. He received a Bronze Star, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with four bronze stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal with two bronze stars, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Victory Medal. Following his discharge, he worked as a bookkeeper for the Wentz Hardware. He began working at the Napoleon Post Office as a clerk in 1946 and was later appointed postmaster. He retired after 32 years of service. He was clerk of the Napoleon School District for 35 years and was the Red Cross Home Service Chairman for 35 years. He began selling real estate in the Napoleon area for Weisser Real Estate of Linton. John entered the Napoleon Care Center in March 2003. John loved his country, his church, and his community. He was an active member of the Lions, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Napoleon Wildlife Club, Logan County Historical Society, Napoleon Business Association, University of Mary President's Club, Germans from Russia, CCC Alumni, Eagles and VFW. He loved playing cards, dancing, being with his family, and attending Napoleon athletic events. He was awarded the Napoleon Jaycees Outstanding Community Citizen Award and the Napoleon Alumni Association's Outstanding Alumnus Award. He is survived by Bertha, his wife of 63 years; one daughter, Mary Jo Ronald Goodman of Oakes; three sons, John Delaine, Mark, and Joseph Rhonda of Bismarck; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

John Kambeitz

June 27, 1916 - July 4, 2005