Arthur "Art" Mildenberger

On Saturday, January 4, 2020 our much-loved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather left this world to be with God and wife.  Arthur Mildenberger lived a full and adventurous life up to the very end. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, January 9, at Church of Corpus Christi, 1919 2^nd St, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 8, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, where a rosary/vigil service will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Burial will be held at the ND Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Art was born on November 24, 1927, to Peter and Katherine (Gerhardt) Mildenberger at Breien, ND. He loved life on the farm and dreamed of one day owning his own farm.

On October 17, 1950, at the age of 23, Art married the love of his life, Odell Friesz,.  Shortly after they married, in November of 1950, Art was called to serve in the military during the Korean Conflict.  He trained at Ft. Riley Kansas and fought in the early days of the war. Art was a mine field and demolition trained expert.  While serving in Korea, his first child, Kathleen was born.  He was out in a remote area and was informed a week after her birth.

Art returned to his family in 1952 and began farming.  In 1958 he and Odell sold the farm equipment and moved to Mandan where he worked shortly for Standard Oil Refinery.  Art was an entrepreneur and always dreamed of owning his own business.  He was on the lookout for opportunities and in 1960 Art and Odell purchased a franchise for a Surge dairy equipment dealership in Southeastern ND in the town of Edgeley, where they lived and ran the business together for 27 years.  It was hard work but Art loved that he was still close to the business of farming and he connected well with his customers, many who were also family friends.

Family was important to Art.  Along with his daughter Kathleen, he had a son Douglas, another daughter, Jacqueline, and a son Colin.  While he loved his children, his greatest love was his grandchildren.  He had a very special relationship with each one and when they would come to visit he would plan an itinerary for their time together.  He enjoyed adventures and games with his grandchildren including visiting train yards, hiking in his home country south of Mandan, camping, boating, card games and winning the crown, and bean bag tournaments. He had “cooking with Grandpa” classes even though he didn’t cook and ride-alongs to work with him.

Art and Odell loved to travel and together saw many parts of the world.  They traveled extensively in Europe, China, Mexico and South America as well as many places throughout the United States.  One of Art’s great loves was the National Parks.  He, along with some of his brothers and sisters-in-law would rent a van and spend weeks traveling, exploring and taking in the beauty of the parks.  One of his favorites was Bryce Canyon in Utah. 

When Art sold his business in 1987, he and Odell moved to Jamestown.  He was in his prime and after retirement he began painting.  He was self-taught but also took some painting classes and set up a studio in his home. Art’s art is displayed in many homes of family and friends. He also began hiking.  Purchasing hiking boots, he walked daily preparing to hike the mountains.  He walked at least 3 miles every day and was in great shape.  He also worked at several part time jobs in Jamestown including working part time as a funeral assistant for Lisko Funeral Chapel and later working in Bismarck/Mandan with Eastgate, Parkway, Weigel, Larson and Boelter Funeral homes. 

In 1998 Art and Odell moved to Bismarck to be close to family.  The couple loved to volunteer and were pleased to offer their services to many organizations.  Because they were always together as a team, they were sometimes referred to as “ArtnOdell”.

From an early age, Art loved music.  He played the accordion when he was young and he also played piano.  Later in life he purchased a keyboard and loved to play whenever he could.  Along with a few relatives they formed a band called the “Prairie Doggs”.  They would play country and old time music at Assisted Living facilities, Nursing Homes and some private parties.  They made several CD recordings so his music will live on with his family.

Art was very active in his church throughout the years wherever they lived.  He taught religion classes for 10 years, was communion minister and a lector.  Art was a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus serving as Grand Knight and District Deputy.   Through that organization he was instrumental in getting displaced Polish families settled in the area and he also spear- headed many local blood drives.  In later years he was very proud to be a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and he always looked very regal in his uniform.  He also belonged to many civic groups and organizations.

From our Dads example, our family learned to be involved.  Art came from humble beginnings but relished taking advantage of as many experiences as he could in life.  He was interested in technology and to his end was actively engaged with his computer.  He loved watching farm and land prices, wrote stories about his youth, and became a great story teller through his writings.  He loved food and as his diet became more restrictive he would dream of prime rib and t-bone steaks. Art also loved studying his family genealogy and was a proud member of German’s from Russia.  His genealogy books will gift our family for many generations to come.

Art is survived by his four children; Kathleen (Mike) Schneider, Bismarck, Douglas (Paulette), St. Paul, MN, Jacque (Max) Saucedo, Eagan, MN, Colin (Shannon), Mounds View, MN;   12 grandchildren and 2 step-grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sister, Irene Friesz, brother, Wilbur (Judy) Mildenberger and sister-in-law, Patty Mildenberger, plus several brothers and sisters-in law through Odell’s family.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Odell Mildenberger; parents, his son, Dale, and his older brother, Steven.

Memorials may be given to Great Plains Food Bank or a charity of your choice.