Joseph Silbernagel

Joseph Silbernagel, 85, of Glen Ullin, ND, went to Heaven on December 31, 2017, in Mesa, AZ. Private family services will be held. Joseph was born in White Owl, SD, on August 26, 1932, to Adam and Magdalen (Schmidt) Silbernagel Sr. He was raised and educated in Bismarck. He enlisted in the 38th Infantry Regiment at Fort Lewis, WA, on April 1957 where he served for two years. He married Frances E. Thomas on May 26, 1962, at the Church of St. Anne, Bismarck, and to this union four children were born. Joseph worked for Northern Improvement as a heavy equipment operator for 30 plus years. In 1986, he and Frances bought a ranch south of Glen Ullin. He loved every part of ranching and found his passion restoring antique international tractors. He loved take before and after pictures of each tractor he meticulously made new again. After Fran’s passing in 2000, he met Eileen Graf and they enjoyed 17 years together ranching, restoring antique tractors, traveling, and wintering in Mesa, AZ. Joseph is survived by his three daughters and one son-in-law, Yvonne and Jeff Haugen, Dickinson, Jolene Sailer, Bismarck, and Charlene Schaefer, Mandan; three grandchildren, Jesse Haugen, Lino Lakes, MN, Daniel Haugen and Weston Haugen, Dickinson; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Jacob (Delores), Moorhead, MN, and George, Colorado Springs, CO; three sisters and one brother-in-law, Helen Fischer, Bismarck, Juanita Johnson, Bullhead City, AZ, and Leonelle (Vernon) Lund, CA; and wonderful companion, Eileen Graf, and her family. Joseph was preceded in death by his wife, Frances; one son, Daniel; one granddaughter, Amanda Lee; his parents; three brothers and one sister-in-law, Adam Jr. (Loretta), Alvin, and Clayton; one brother-in-law, Adrian Fischer; three nephews, Scotty Silbernagel, Timothy Silbernagel, and Bryan Silbernagel; and one niece, Melissa Fischer.