Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 272150
Title: James D. Pazdernik
Date: 9/6/1943-3/9/2026
Inscription/Marks: 9/6/1943
Summary: James David Pazdernik 82, of New Salem, ND, passed away on March 9, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck, surrounded by family. Funeral mass was held March 12, 2026, at St. Pius V Catholic Church in New Salem. Burial was at St. Pius V Cemetery. Jim was born September 6, 1943, in Breckenridge, MN, to Edwin and Marcella (Korinek) Pazdernik. Jim grew up on the family farm southeast of Breckenridge, which his parents purchased in 1943, the year he was born. Jim attended grade school in Doran, MN, and later went to high school in Breckenridge, graduating in 1961. After graduation, he attended NDSCS for automotive mechanics in Wahpeton, ND, for two years. He served in the North Dakota National Guard from 1961 to 1967. While he was driving his '57 Ford Retractable Hardtop convertible, Bonita "Bonnie" Doll caught his eye, and a year later they were married on June 27, 1966, at St. Pius V Catholic Church in New Salem. During this time, Jim worked as a mechanic with his dad in their own shop, then for a short time in Kindred, and later at Smith Motors in Wahpeton, where he was employed for five years. He then spent a year working for Dave Miller, a local farmer, which marked the beginning of his long farming career. The couple made their first home in Breckenridge, where their first two sons and only daughter were born. In the fall of 1971, they moved to a farm northeast of Sweet Briar Lake, where two additional sons joined the family. This is where they built their life and raised their family. Jim and Bonnie operated D&P Farms along with Douglas and Deb Doll from the fall of 1971 until March 2015. They were the first farmers west of the Missouri River to grow sunflowers. In addition, they raised other small grains, range cattle, and Suffolk and Columbia sheep. Jim and Bonnie moved off the farm into New Salem in February 2014 and officially retired from farming in 2015. Jim was a member of St. Pius V Catholic Church in New Salem and Morton County Sportsmen. His hobbies included penny collecting, fishing, and hunting. Fishing and hunting were not only activities he enjoyed with his sons, but traditions that carried on with his grandchildren and, more recently, his great-grandchildren. Jim also truly excelled at socializing and could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He enjoyed going to "work" once a week to play cards with friends and loved competitive card games with Bonnie before her recent passing. He was a fan of the NDSU Bison, Minnesota Vikings, Timberwolves, and the Lynx. Jim supported his sons and grandsons for many years in wrestling and attended numerous sporting events and activities for his grandchildren over the years. What always brought a smile to his face was seeing his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and he cherished the time spent with all of them. It warmed his heart to see family together. Jim will be remembered for his quick wit, soft heart, gift of gab, and dedication to his family. He was a proud Bohemian and at times showed his stubborn heritage. He leaves behind a lifetime of memories that will continue to bring comfort, strength, and love to his family. His heart was deeply broken when Bonnie passed less than five months ago, and we find comfort in believing they are reunited once more, his heart whole again. Jim's passing leaves a profound emptiness in the lives of all who knew and loved him, yet the love, laughter, and kindness he shared so freely will forever live on in their hearts and be treasured by those who knew him. Jim is survived by his children, Thomas James (Cynthia) Pazdernik, Mandan, ND, Matthew Ronald (Tammy) Pazdernik, Mandan, Theresa Kaye (Terrance) Moravec, Bismarck, Michael Jay (Dana) Pazdernik, New Salem, and Mark Douglas Pazdernik, Carrington, ND; grandchildren, Kayla (Slade) Ternes, Kimberly (Josh) Schlag, Kendra (Adam) Stein, Kasey (Tanna) Pazdernik, Kyler (Katelyn) Pazdernik, Karli Pazdernik, Tommy (Brittney) Moravec, Tessa (Zach) Baillie, Trace (Johanna) Moravec, Josephine Pazdernik, Jacklyn Pazdernik (fiancee Joseph Leingang), and Kenadie Pazdernik; great-grandchildren, Abrietta, Declan and Arlo Ternes, Benson and Hayes Schlag, Grayson, Haisley and Walker Stein, Maisie Pazdernik, Kimber and Drake Moravec, Asher and Adalynn Moravec, and two additional beautiful blessings on the way to arrive in June; sisters, Darlene Prochnow and Kathleen (Ronald) Barth; brothers, Irvan (Tonya) Pazdernik and Ivan (Cindy) Pazdernik; brothers-in-law and their spouses, Douglas (Deb) Doll, Kevin (Mary) Doll, Charles (Pam) Doll, Harlan (Jodie) Doll, and David (Donna) Doll; sister-in-law, June Doll; and brothers-in-law, Darrell Kuhn and Keith Pagel. Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Bonita; great-grandson, Emerson Schlag; his parents, Edwin and Marcella Pazdernik; his brother, Harold (Joyce) Pazdernik; sisters, Elaine Pazdernik and Patricia (Kenny) Berndt; his wife's parents, Joseph and Helen Doll; siblings, brother Ronald Doll, and sisters, Doreen Kuhn and Joelene Pagel; and nephew, Joshua Kuhn.
Red ID: FND_I_79642 Image ID: 557356 Image Notes: FND001 272150

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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