Pius Deringer

Pius Deringer, 75, left this earth for eternal life on Monday, May 12, 2008 at his home with all of his children by his side. Services will be held at 10:30 am Thursday at Parkway Funeral Service Chapel, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck with Rev. Leonard Eckroth officiating. Burial will be in the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm Wednesday and one hour prior to services Thursday at Parkway Funeral Service. Pius was born July 31, 1932, to George and Barbara Welk Deringer in Emmons County, where he was raised and educated. He is a nephew of Lawrence Welk. Pius married Martha Schumacher on October 27, 1955 and to this union were born seven children. Pius joined the Army during the Korean War for two years and was honorably discharged in 1954. He worked for Harley Miller Construction and farmed east of Bismarck. He worked at the ND State Penitentiary for 15 1 /2 years until his retirement at age 62. Pius had a great love for horses. He spent many hours at the sales ring and on occasion he'd bring his grandchildren. His two favorite horses were Daisy and Blaze, he enjoyed giving wagon and sleigh rides and was always ready when asked for rides. The other family in Pius' life was his AA family. He was honored to be a sponsor for others and proud of his 30 years of sobriety. He also was a member of the Driscoll Men's Club. Pius is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Francis and Josephine of Vancouver, WA, Lloyd and Mary of Bismarck, ND and Harvey and Crystal of Menoken, ND; four daughters and sons-in-law, Janet and Tim Derby of Bismarck, ND, Deb and Joe Frank of West Fargo, ND, Tammy and Vince Sanders of Bismarck, ND and Pam and Tracy Heiser of Dickinson, ND; 17 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and two step-grandchildren; two sisters, Angie and Bob Murphy of Blue Earth, MN and Christine Baumgartner of Bismarck, ND; two sisters-in-law, Bertha Deringer and Clara Deringer both of Strasburg, ND and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Anna Mary Schwab and Agnes Kuss; brothers, Eugene, Victor and Leo and two infant siblings. The family appreciates Pius? friends and great Hospice caregivers.

Pius Deringer

July 31, 1932 - May 12, 2008