Earl J Dunnigan, M.D.

Dr. Earl J. Dunnigan, 58, died April 8, 2016, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN, surrounded by family and friends. Services will be held Friday, April 15, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at Century Baptist Church, 205 Colt Ave., Bismarck, with Rev. Gordon Stork officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday, April 14 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. The Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy Prayer Service will be held at 6:30 p.m., followed by prayer service and sharing time at 7:00 p.m. at Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck. Earl Dunnigan was born in Detroit, MI, on February 27, 1958, the eldest son of Dr. Ralph J. and Bernadette Dunnigan. He was raised in Bismarck, graduated from St. Mary’s Central High School. He attended UND undergraduate and UND Medical School, receiving his medical degree in 1983. He completed his graduate training in Internal Medicine through the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, then fellowship training in Nephrology at University of Texas, Galveston. He then became affiliated with St. Alexius Medical Center and served this community as a Board Certified Nephrologist, until his illness forced his retirement in 2012. As a physician in Bismarck, Earl helped countless people in the region, with his untiring dedication and brilliance, many of whom still speak so fondly of him today. His long illness, which began while he was in medical school, ultimately made him an extremely compassionate and caring provider of health care. He was a strong champion of medical education and dedicated countless hours teaching the intricacies of modern medicine to medical students and residents. He was an incredible physician and diagnostician, living up to the legacy of his father, Dr. Ralph J. Dunnigan. In 2005, Earl met his perfect match, JoAnn Burtts. The two were married in 2009. Earl cherished his wife dearly. She bravely stood by his side and supported him through his very difficult medical challenges. The two were often times described by the special kind of love they shared. They were each other's light no matter how dark the day. All those who followed their story are forever changed and inspired. Earl was very much an outdoorsman and loved the hunt of large game as well as waterfowl, and upland game. He loved to fish and spent countless hours tying thousands of flies, and ultimately mastered the challenges of fly fishing in the clear waters of Montana. He grew up hunting on and enjoying Lake Audubon, with family and friends. He especially loved hunting and fishing with his son Matthew. He was a voracious reader, talented woodworker, and an amazing cook. He loved to prepare wild game feasts for his family and friends. Earl’s medical journey forever changed and inspired many by his fortitude and acceptance. Earl never surrendered to hopelessness, always giving inspiration, and trusting in God’s ultimate plan. We are forever grateful to the Mayo Clinic and their wonderful staff for believing in Earl and giving him a chance for life. He is survived by his wife JoAnn, his son Matthew, his sister Ann (Mike Thorson), four brothers: Kevin (Sharon), Dr. Ralph T. (Leanne), Shawn (Lisa), and Terry (Julia), mother-in-law Katherine (Donald Boehm), and father-in-law David Burtts, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Ralph J. and Bernie Dunnigan. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to landminedesign.org or may be mailed to Landmine Design, 1310 Eastwood Street, Bismarck, 58504 (a story of Christian ministry and hope inspired by Kristie Dunnigan). It has been important to Earl and JoAnn to support this ministry.