Richard Kupitz

Richard “Dick” Kupitz, 84, Bismarck, ND; went home to be with his Lord on August 16, 2019, while in the dialysis unit at CHI St. Alexius Health.  

Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, at Parkway where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm.  

A funeral service will be at 10:30 am on Thursday, August 22, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 106 Osage Ave, Bismarck, ND, with Pastor Craig Schweitzer officiating.

Burial will be at the ND Veterans Cemetery located south of Mandan at 2:00 pm.

Dick was born on November 12, 1934, in Gwinner, ND to Ed and Jane Anderson Kupitz.  He received his education through the Gwinner School, graduating in 1952.  During this time, he worked on the farm with his father, his grandfather, and many uncles. On October 10, 1953, Dick was united in marriage to Donna Christensen of Rutland, ND.  They first resided in Gwinner, ND; where he worked different jobs until he received an opportunity to become a member of the full time staff of the National Guard beginning in Lisbon, ND in 1957, ending up in Bismarck, ND.

Dick served his country with the North Dakota Army National Guard for 40 years. He attained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four and received many awards during his career.  Major awards consisted of the North Dakota Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf clusters, and the Army Accommodation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf clusters.  Dick enjoyed going to work each day with a goal of helping the soldiers.

After retirement from the military, Dick continued to serve the state of North Dakota for eighteen years.  Beginning in June 1995, he served as a Project Officer, and later as Lead State Project Officer in support of the Public Assistance Division of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services in response to natural disasters.  Again, Dick enjoyed going to work each day, with the goal of helping someone in need.  He enjoyed the comradeship with fellow workers, and the people they were attempting to help.  Dick always said, “That is what life is all about, being with friends/family, and helping others”. 

Dick, along with his wife and best friend Donna, found fulfillment in watching family members serve in the military, excel in sports, and getting educated and following their chosen path in life.  They are proud parents of 6 children, grandparents of 16, and great-grandparents of 14.

He was a Vikings and Twins fan. He used to say, “You had to take the bad with the good. Dwell on the good and the bad will take care of itself”.  He loved to play golf (again good or bad), and in the last couple of years he picked up the game of pool, which he had not done for over 50 years.  Dick enjoyed all sports.  He played basketball and participated in track for Gwinner High School.  After graduation he played amateur baseball for Gwinner, Rutland, Oakes, and Lisbon. He also played amateur basketball for Gwinner and Rutland.  He was introduced to golf later in life. 

Dick belonged to many service clubs.  He served as president of the Exchange Club while living in Valley City, and was a life member of the AMVETS, Elks, and DAV.

Dick enjoyed worshipping and serving his lord as a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.  He always said, “Being an usher and greeting people as they come for worship” was a real joy.  Dick served on different committees at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Dick is survived by his loving wife Donna of 64 years, children Pandy (Doug) Anderson, Mike (Barbara) Kupitz, Barb (Bob) Sturdevant-Bossert, Dixie (Tex) Claymore, Tamie Fischbach; Ric Kupitz; grand-children Daron (Trisha), Sara (Erick), Christina (David), Nicolas, Travis, Ryan, Megan, Kaylee (Drew), Mae, Maggie, Jeffrey (Kaley), Cody, Melinda, Ian, Max, Jay; great-grandchildren Logan, Baylen, Kylie, Bailey, Whitten, Daxton, Grady, Miles, Jaida, Janessa, Isabella, Jack, Owen, and Alex. Dick also has 2 sisters, Betty (Curt) Borgen and Kandyce (Gene) Sandstrom, brother-in-law Eddie Christensen, and sister-in-law Willene Kupitz. He leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ed and Jane Kupitz, brother Ed Kupitz, grandson Wil Kupitz, son-in-laws Tom Sturdevant and Mark Fischbach, brother-in-law Jack Crellin, mother and father-in-law Martha and Harry Christensen, sister-in-law Pat Christensen, and Kermit Sandstrom.

Memorials are preferred to the ND Veteran Cemetery, Mandan, ND; or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Bismarck, ND.