Joseph Subart

Joseph Dominik Subart, 86, Robinson, died June 20, 2008, from complications of pneumonia at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck. He was recently a resident of Benedictine Living Center in Garrison. Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 27, 11 a.m., at Bethany Lutheran Church in Robinson with Rev. Valerie Kinlan officiating. Burial will be at Bethany Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Joe was born on July 11, 1921, at the family farm in Robinson and was the fourth child of Dominik and Lillian Barnett Subart. The eldest son of Bohemian homesteaders, he grew up farming north of Robinson. He grew up during a transitional period in agriculture, initially using draft horses for farm production followed by the implementation of farm machinery and technology. He attended Robinson Public School and graduated in 1939. After completing high school, he attended the Ellendale branch of North Dakota Agricultural College. He then joined thousands of other young men working in the Civilian Conservation Corps, building roads and dams in South Dakota. Following his job with the CCC, he returned home to the farm. In May of 1944, Joe entered the United States Army at Ft. Snelling, Minn. He initially served in England, followed by duty in France and Germany. He was assigned to be a warehouse foreman, as he was the only one in the company familiar with using a typewriter. He supervised warehouse personnel providing parts for light tanks. On Oct. 17, 1954, Joe married Mary Bon of Robinson at Bethany Lutheran Church and enjoyed 53 years of marriage. Joe was an avid farm innovator, adopting new farm practices as they became available. One of his favorite pastimes was visiting implement dealerships and farm shows. He enjoyed keeping a clean and rock-free field, raising livestock, creating well-formed haystacks and reading farm magazines. He was an amateur pilot, active church member, Lion’s club member and 4-H club leader. Upon retiring in 1985, Joe and Mary continued living on the farm and enjoyed traveling to such locations as Australia, Europe and across America. Joe is survived by his wife, Mary, Robinson; four children, Richard Carolyn Subart, Jamestown; Anne Subart Steve Scherbenske, Aurora, Col.; James Peggy Subart, Rollingstone, Minn.; and Robert Margaret Subart, Robinson. His grandchildren include Alexander Subart, West Fargo; Erik and Sawyer Scherbenske, Aurora, Col.; Jennifer Subart, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Christopher and Michelle Subart, Rollingstone, Minn.; and Paul, Aaron and Lucas Subart, Robinson. He is also survived by three sisters, Alyce Dockter, Grand Forks; Lorraine Hill, Warroad, Minn.; and Dorothy Hanson, Fargo; as well as one brother, Hermen Subart, Chaseley. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dominik and Lillian Subart, Robinson and two sisters, Hedwig Klonecky, St. Paul, Minn., and Georgia Orner, Richmond, Calif. Memorials may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, Robinson.

Joseph Subart

July 11, 1921 - June 20, 2008