John Malsam

John A. Malsam, long time resident of Sterling, ND, passed away peacefully August 7, 2017, at the Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Facility, Bismarck, with many thoughts and prayers from those who loved him. Services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, August 11, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with Rev. Kevin Nelson officiating. Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Thursday, August 10, at Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a masonic service will begin at 7:00 pm.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service. John was born April 16, 1922, to Peter and Maryann Malsam. John was born in Napoleon, ND, as his family was moving from Roscoe, SD, to Tuttle, ND. In 1933 the family moved to Driscoll, ND, where his early years were spent on the family farm nine miles northeast of Driscoll. John served in World War II along with five of his brothers. It took John slightly less than six months to go from a buck private to his last rank of staff sergeant and was honorably discharged on January 29, 1947. He returned to North Dakota and began working for the Bismarck Farmers Union. John married Mary Dronen on April 26, 1947, and they lived in Bismarck until the fall of 1949 at which time John accepted the position of manager at the Sterling Farmers Union. He successfully served in that role until his retirement in June of 1984. John was an active member of the Sterling community and Burleigh County by volunteering in many ways; the Gay 30’s Club, Burleigh County Speakers Club, Sterling Men’s Club and in later years the Sterling Lions Club. He helped organize the local rural fire department and chaired the Sterling Centennial Celebration Committee. The Masons were a big part of his life and he was a devoted member of Walworth Lodge #102 in Steele, ND. Music also played an important role for him and he was always playing waltzes and polkas on the organ. Upon retirement John became an avid golfer, a passion he instilled in his two sons. Upon Mary’s passing in May of 2012, John moved to Valley View Assisted Living Facility, Bismarck, where he was enthusiastically involved with the many activities there. John will be deeply missed by his two sons, Brant and Nancy (Heaton) Malsam, Bismarck, and Byron and Jill (Johnson) Malsam, Bismarck; one daughter, Bonita (Malsam) and Jack Hathaway, Fitchburg, MA; six grandchildren, Ryan, Kacey, Amy, Christopher, Kent and Sara; fifteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Joe; two sisters, Agnes and Ann; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Mary; his parents; his brothers, Wendelin, Anton, Peter Jr, Ned, and Walter; and his sisters, Helen, Mae and Grace.