Obituary of John Billman

John Billman, 76, of Sturgeon Lake died Sat., July 18, 2009 in his home surrounded by family. He was born Oct. 27, 1932 at home in Stark County, North Dakota to Leo and Barbara (Weiler) Billman. He grew up in the Schefield, North Dakota area and attended Stark County country schools. John married Elizabeth Reisenauer on October 26, 1955 in New England, North Dakota. They moved South St. Paul in 1957 where John worked at the Armour and Swifts Meat Packing companies until moving to Sturgeon Lake in 1964. Together they farmed and raised their four daughters. John also worked at Diamond Match and was a carpenter in building construction until his retirement. He was blessed with seven grandchildren which he enjoyed and was proud of. John was a member of St. Isidore's Catholic Church. He enjoyed playing his accordion which he self-taught to play by ear. John also had a family Old Tyme band which included his wife and girls. He also liked listening to Old Tyme music, keeping up with news and current events, and reading. John was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth, and his parents. John was loved and will be sadly missed by his four daughters, Florence (Kevin) Williams of Barnum, Caroline (John) Minkkinen of Kettle River, Marilyn (Scott) Olson of Sturgeon Lake, and Judy Billman of Hinckley; grandchildren, Emily, Jonathan and Nicole Williams, Melissa and Bob Minkkinen, Ethan and Amelia Olson; sisters, Lorraine (Christ) Frank, Leone (Richard) Rice, and MaryAnn (Edward) Polensky all of Dickinson, North Dakota; brothers, Richard (Joan) Billman of Tacoma, Wash., Herb (Kathy) Billman and Joe (Darlene) Billman both of Dickinson, and Leo (Rosie) Billman of Bismark, North Dakota. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, July 23, 2009 in St. Isidore's Catholic Church in Sturgeon Lake. Burial was in St. Isidore's Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins-Northland Funeral Home in Cloquet. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com