Donald F Mizera

Donald Francis Mizera, 87, Bismarck left this world on December 6, 2013, at Sanford Medical Center, Bismarck ND. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Church of Corpus Christi in Bismarck with Rev. Paul Becker officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Eastgate Funeral Service where a rosary/vigil service will begin at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday one hour prior to the service. Donald was born March 4, 1926, to Rose Klug and John Mizera on a farm near McLaughlin, SD. He was the youngest of five children. Don, along with his three brothers and one sister, Raymond, John Jr., Robert, and Lillian, grew up on the family farm. Music was a key part of Don's life. His father began instructing him at the age of 10. After one year of study he had progressed far enough to join the McLaughlin Symphony Orchestra. The next year he was asked to be in the newly formed Public School Band. During World War II, the schools absence of a band director provided him with the opportunity to serve as director during his junior year. This proved to be the motivating force behind his future in music education. He graduated from McLaughlin High School in 1944. At the age of 12, the Donnie Mizera Orchestra was formed and continued for approximately 20 years. The dance band actually started out as a publicity stunt with his oldest brother Ray, chaperoning him at that early age. Don with his three brothers and sister were the original members of the band. It grew to become a big band orchestra as time went on. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1944 – 1946. He was stationed in Manila of the Philippine Islands. When Don returned from the war in 1946 he returned to the farm and continued playing professional dance jobs for the next two to three years. In 1949, he enrolled in MacPhail College of Music in Minneapolis and received his Bachelors of Music Degree in 1952. On June 12, 1951, Don and Maxine exchanged wedding vows in Lemmon, SD. They made their home in St. Paul/Minneapolis while Don completed his education. After graduating, Don began his first teaching job in Westhope, ND. This is where their first born child, Bonita, came into this world, just as the school term began. Don's teaching experience spanned 36 years: Westhope from 1952 – 1954, Eureka 1954 – 1957, Parshall 1957 – 1965, Grafton 1965 – 1975, and Bismarck Hughes Jr. High 1975 – 1988. During his tenure in Grafton, Don spent summers studying at UND in Grand Forks to complete his Masters Degree in Education in 1969. In 1988, Don retired from Music Education at the age of 62. In the words of Don, "As I look back, I am so happy that I became a music educator, as it has been so rewarding in so many different aspects. To see your positive influence on various students that have followed in the same field of music gives a director a feeling of pride and accomplishment." Don realized his dreams of teaching "Big Band" music through the Stage bands in Parshall, Grafton, and Bismarck. After his retirement, he was a member of the Bismarck Elks Band. He also started a big band orchestra, which gave him an opportunity to continue his love for performing. Don Mizera and the Rhythm Airs performed locally at clubs, weddings, reunions, etc. during the late 80's and 90's. On May 14, 2004, Don was honored to be inducted into the Dakota Musicians Association Hall of Fame. Don enjoyed his retirement filling it with time spent with his family, shopping, walking and gardening. He spent his latter years avidly studying the bible, spending time in devotions and frequently attending daily mass. He is leaving behind five daughters, Bonita Mizera, Fargo, ND, Cynthia John Fisher, Austin, MN, Laura Robert French, Mandan, ND, Donna Reed Stevens, Rapid City, SD, and Anne Mizera, Bismarck, ND; one son, Donald Paul, Bismarck, ND, nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Maxine, his loving wife of 58 years; his parents Rose and John; his brothers, John Jr., Raymond, and Robert; and his sister, Lillian.

Donald F Mizera

March 4, 1926 - December 6, 2013