Bernard Dolan

Bernard P. Dolan, 71, of Bismarck died November 6, 2016, at CHI St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck. Services will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, November 10, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at Parkway Funeral Service. Burial will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, November 11, at St. John Cemetery in St. John, ND. Bernie was born August 26, 1945, to Bernard F. and Elaine Dolan of St. John, ND. He married Yvonne Lagasse on June 22, 1968 at Rolla, ND. He attended school in St. John, graduating in 1963. Upon graduation he was employed by First Bank of Rolla and worked for a cement and construction firm in Rolla. In November 1965, he was drafted by the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. In January 1967, Bernie was deployed to Vietnam. He served with the 9th Infantry Division in the Mekong Delta. He was honorably discharged in November 1967. Upon returning from Vietnam, Bernie began working in the plumbing and heating industry in Rugby for Rugby Sheet & Metal. He worked there until July 1979 when he moved to Bismarck continuing in the industry with H.A. Thompson & Sons as a plumbing service manager until his retirement in August 2009. He believed strongly in providing excellent service. In August 2011, he began working part time for Financial Supply Center, where he was still employed at the time of his death. Bernie was always working to better the community in which he lived. He served on the Rugby City Council as an Alderman for 1974-1977. He was a member of the Rugby Presbyterian Church and sang in the choir. Bernie’s most notable community service came while involved in the Jaycee organization on the local, state and national levels. He joined the Rugby Jaycees in 1968 and served as the local President 1973-74. He was honored by the North Dakota Jaycees as one of five Outstanding Chapter Presidents. He went on to serve the ND Jaycees as District Director and Regional Director. Bernie was elected North Dakota Jaycee State President for the 1976-1977 year. During Bernie’s term, membership records and new chapters started reached all-time highs. Bernie received the Clayton Frost Award recognizing the top five state presidents in the nation. He was the first from North Dakota to receive this award. Bernie then continued serving the U.S. Jaycees as a National Vice President serving the states of Missouri, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New Hampshire. For his outstanding effort, Bernie received the Don Cavalli award for the Top National Vice President. During Bernie’s involvement in Jaycees, he offered the opportunity of Jaycees to hundreds of young men. In 1976 Bernie received JCI Senator #22472 and in 1983 North Dakota Roughrider award #002. Bernie always credited much of his success to the outstanding Jaycees that served with him and those who provided support behind the scenes. Bernie truly believed that service to humanity is the best work of life. He cherished the many long and lasting Jaycee friendships, many of whom visited him during his last days. Bernie also volunteered many years with the Bismarck Youth BMX group in several capacities, including local President. Bernie loved being outdoors in the yard and garden. He was also an accomplished carpenter, remodeling several houses. He enjoyed collecting antique glassware and going to antique shows and flea markets across the country. He is survived by his spouse of 48 years, Yvonne; his son, Robert (Tammy); four grandchildren - Jesse, Jordan, Kaitlin and Karter. Also surviving are one brother, Kenneth (Roseane), Hull, Georgia; three sisters, Cheryl (Danny) Dawson, Rolla, ND; Lori (Eddie) Dawson, Rolla, ND; and Edith (Stewart) Rosenberg, Shorewood, MN; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Delores Boppre; and a brother, Raymond. Bernie was a proud and plain man. He was a dedicated Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, Brother-in-law, Employee and Volunteer that will be missed by many.