Harry Vadnie

Harry Vadnie, 96, Bismarck, died September 26, 2018, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, September 28, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, 519 Raymond St., Bismarck. Family will greet visitors at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit starting at 1:00 pm Friday. Private family burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck. Harry R. Vadnie was born on May 17, 1922, on the Devlin Family homestead at Finley, ND. His parents, John F. and Esther (Devlin) Vadnie, moved the family to Bismarck when Harry was a child. He was educated in Bismarck and graduated from Bismarck High School in 1940. In 1940, Harry was selected to attend North Dakota Boys State. Following high school, he attended Bismarck Junior College and the University of Minnesota. Harry was then called up and served as a combat infantryman with Company A of the 164th Infantry in World War II. He served for 5 ½ years in World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Cluster Medal, a Presidential citation, the Combat Infantryman Badge. On October 3, 1945, Harry married his high school sweetheart, Mary Logan. Their son, Michael, was born while they lived in Minneapolis. Then Harry was called back and served 1 ½ years during the Korean War. Their daughter, Ann, was born while he was stationed in Michigan. Harry was released from service with a terminal leave promotion rank of 1st Lt. In 1952, Harry joined Murphy Insurance in Bismarck. Over the years he served as corporate secretary and Vice President for the firm, retiring in 1992. Harry was an Eagle Scout. He remained active in scouting as an adult and received a district scouting award. As a member of Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Harry served on the Parish Council and as a lay reader. Harry was appointed to the first lay advisory board at St. Alexius Hospital in 1956 and continued during his life to volunteer there. He also served on the Board of the School of Nursing at St. Alexius, Hospice care, and was a senior counselor. He was active in the community of Bismarck as president of the Bismarck Exchange Club, Chairman of the Community Chest Drive (1959), American Legion Open Your Heart Campaign chairman, and a member of the Board of Bismarck Baseball Club in the Northern League. Harry was co-chairman of the drive to establish a YMCA in Bismarck, served as the president, and was on the first YMCA Board of Directors. Harry was chosen Bismarck’s Outstanding Young Man in 1961, was a member of the Burleigh County Selective Service Board during the Vietnam War, served as a president and national director of the North Dakota Independent Insurance Agents, and was a member of numerous local, state, and national professional organizations. Other organizations of which Harry was a member were Knights of Columbus, American Legion, VFW, Elks, Exchange Club, 40 & 8, and the YMCA. Volunteer work was always a part of Harry’s life. He volunteered at the Ruth Meier soup kitchen, Bismarck Public Library, the ND State Library Talking Books department, and St. Alexius Medical Center. Band music was one of his greatest joys. Harry played the tuba as a member of the Elks Band for fifty years and the North Dakota State American Legion Band for forty years. Harry spent five months each summer for eight years volunteering at Bully Pulpit Golf Course in Medora, ND. Harry is survived by his son, Michael (Mary Jo Kilkelly), St. Cloud, MN; his daughter, Ann, Bismarck; grandchildren, Shannon (Marc) and Sean, St. Cloud, MN; his great-grandchildren, Colin, Ryan, Addison, Maleah, and Owen, St. Cloud, MN; step-grandson, Ryon; and special family friend, Sarah Fugleberg. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Logan Vadnie; and his parents, John and Esther (Devlin) Vadnie. “Redheaded and freckled, Harry was proud of his Irish heritage. Three of his grandparents were born in Ireland.” (quote from a family member) The family wishes to thank the wonderful people at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Mary and Harry Vadnie Scholarship Fund at the University of Mary or the Vadnelly Scholarship Fund at St. Cloud University.