Frankie Robert Privratsky

Frankie Robert Privratsky began a new journey on his final road trip on August 16, 2019.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, August 21 at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Parish  806 E Broadway Ave, Bismarck. Burial will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday at noon.

Visitation will be held at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, on Tuesday from 5:00-7:00 pm with a Vigil Prayer Service and Rosary starting at 7:00 pm. 

Frankie, son of Frank A. and Philomena (Dvorak) Privratsky was born May 27, 1937 at his grandmother’s house in Stark County, near Dickinson, ND.  He was number 5 out of 11 children.

He attended Ash Coulee School in Stark County and Manning South in Kidder County.  He proudly served in the United States Army from 1957 through 1959, and was stationed at Fort Carson, CO, Fort Lee, VA and Heidelberg, Germany.  He earned his GED, became a marksman, sharpshooter and earned the medal of good conduct.  After discharge he took advantage of his VA educational benefits.  He received certificated as Master Conservationist from North American School of Conservation; certificate as an electrician and in taxidermy, which may explain varmints in the freezer!

He perfected his skills in the sport of rodeo in calf roping, team tying, team roping and bulldogging. He won his favorite belt buckle at the Wing Rodeo in bulldogging in 1971.

He married Lonnie J. Agnew on April 8, 1967.  They purchased the Jake Voll farm east of Moffit in 1969, where they raised their three daughters, Stephanie, Nadine and Rebeka.

When he wasn’t cowpunching or haying, he’d “put meat in the freezer” with various selections that included surprises.  He became a master of beef and pork with “meals on wheels” catering service.  Chicken was not an option!  He joyously hosted fall pheasant and goose hunters for 40 years. What happened in the fields, stayed in the fields.

He was involved in Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, local wildlife clubs, but he was most proud of being a founding member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.  He served as a ND brand inspector, weighmaster for Sterling Cattleman’s Weighing Association, volunteer for Braddock fireman, officer for Burleigh County Township Officers and Wild Rose Township and a hunter’s safety instructor for Braddock Wildlife Club.

Boots and hat were his persona.  Singer/son writer Chris LeCoux’s song, ‘This Cowboy’s Hat’ says it best in part: ‘He knew groups of people who don’t see eye to eye.  While sittin’ in the local pub just having a sip swapping rodeo stories, someone started to snicker and poking fun of his hat. “Hey Tex”, they said, “where’d you park your horse? I think I’ll rip that hat right off your head.” He pulled down the brim and said as Chris said, “You’ll ride a black tornado ‘cross the western sky long before you take this ole cowboy’s hat.” Frankie went on to say “It’s better left alone.  You don’t mess with my hat nor my wife, and in that order.”’

He is survived by his wife Lonnie and daughters, Stephanie, Nadine (Patrick) and Rebeka (Dan); 4 grandchildren, Tani (Colton), Frankie Sue, Hunter and Hannah; 3 great grandchildren Raynie, Radlie and Fynlie; brothers August and Victor; sisters Philomena, Ottillia and Nancy; 3 God Children, Claudette, Myron and Kristen. Preceding him in death were his parents; his in-laws, Elmer and Ella; brothers Henry, Bennedict and William and sisters, Marie “Mary” and Dorothy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the ND State Veterans Cemetery, 1825 46^th St,  Mandan, ND 58554 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.