Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 271697
Title: Kenneth L. Adams
Date: 5/18/1942-6/26/2025
Creator:
Inscription/Marks: 5/18/1942
Summary: Kenneth Adams, 83, of Belfield, ND, passed away June 26, 2025, at St. Lukes Home in Dickinson, ND. Funeral Mass was held July 8, 2025, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Belfield, with Father Shane Campbell celebrating. Burial was in St. Bernard’s Cemetery. Kenneth L. Adams was born May 18, 1942, to Michael and Emma (Patrikus) Adams on the family farm southeast of Fryburg, ND. Ken began attending the Fryburg School in 1948, completing all eight grades there. He then worked for different farmers and ranchers in the area. In 1964 he was drafted into the US Army. Due to family hardship, Ken was transferred to Army Reserve in April 1965. After his discharge, Ken went home and rented the family farm from his parents. During that time, he also worked for Billings County on a road crew. In 1973, Kenneth bought the farm from his parents, continuing to work for different contractors, running dozers and scrapers, and building roads and oil sites. As an entrepreneur, from 1979-2004, Ken owned his own business (K.A. Batco,) which he used to blast and tamp for many contractors. Ken was a true rancher, always having a passion for livestock. He fed calves every fall and winter, buying and selling them, finding true enjoyment. During this time, he sent many loads of cattle to a feedlot in Nebraska to be finished, yet he retained ownership. Ken enjoyed collecting many things but was most fond of his John Deere tractors collection. His collection consisted of eleven 30 Series tractors, the last of the two cylinder models. Ken was proud to share his tractors in many parades. John Deere toys and other John Deere collectibles, coins and guns, were among his vast collectibles. He would proudly show and explain unique features to his guests. On November 27, 1987, Kenneth married Frances Fugere Adams. Even though her nine children were all grown and gone from home, it was a new chapter for him since most lived close by and others often visited. He was puzzled over these numerous “family reunions” (as he described them). During their 37 years of marriage, Ken and Frances enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends and to see many different places. When Frances’s health became delicate, he provided her the daily care required, continuing to socialize with their friends as much as possible. Ken enjoyed bowling three times a week, being a competitive bowler. He enjoyed gardening and loved playing cards. He played to win. Ken was a member of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus, and was very active in other community activities. Ken is survived by seven stepdaughters, Arlinda (Dennis) O’Brien and Michele Burian (Kris Hanson), Bismarck, Roxie (Tom) Inman, Fairfield, Tammy (Les) Simnioniw, Belfield, Amy Jo (Dave) Burland, Arlee, MT, Tracy (Aaron) Kessel, Sidney, MT, and Lori Shypkoski (Roger Rossow), Medora, ND; two stepsons, Kevin (Laura Godowski) Fugere, Belfield, and Blane (Linda) Fugere, Dickinson; 26 step-grandchildren and 34 step-great-grandchildren; along with sister-in-law, Judy (Jim) Ramsey, Las Cruces, NM; and niece, Clarissa (Mike) Kottre, Lincoln, ND. Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Frances (October 2024); his parents, Mike and Emma Adams; brother, Willard; sister-in-law, Sylvia Adams; nephew, Donny Adams; niece, Quadraline Adams; stepsons-in-law, Cliff Anderson and Maynard Burian; stepdaughter-in-law, Cindie Fugere; and three stepgrandsons, Dwight Anderson, Seth O’Brien and Jared Burian.
Red ID: FND_I_79193 Image ID: 529796 Image Notes: FND001 271697

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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