Frank Messer

Frank G. Messer, died Aug. 15, 2011, surrounded by his loving family, at Medcenter One, Bismarck. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mandan, with the Rev. Shane Campbell as celebrant. Burial will be at Mandan Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. today at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, followed by a parish rosary/vigil at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour before the service at the church on Thursday.

Frank was born on Oct. 21, 1930, to Frank and Rose (Erhardt) Messer in Center. He was raised on the family farm where he enjoyed working with his horses and always side by side with his friend and father, Frank Sr. On June 23, 1962, he married the love of his life, Adaline Koch. He worked for Classic Yard, formerly Mandan Transfer, for 35 years as a heavy equipment operator. He retired in 2000.

Frank was skilled in all trades especially carpentry, electrical and equipment which required mechanical talents. Given his generous nature he shared these abilities with family and friends whenever needed. Socially outgoing, gaining new friends was effortless. His love of dancing to old time music was always a source of enjoyment for him and Adaline. One of his prides was his 1973 Chevy Impala. Frank could spend hours going through the car lots. In all of this, the highlight in his life was the love he shared with his family.

Frank will be deeply missed by his wife, Adaline, Mandan; sons, Randy (Sheila), Mandan and Ron (Patrice), Lincoln; daughter, Debra (Darren) Haugen, Mandan; grandchildren, Jacey (Katie), Greg (Rachelle), Jenny, Jamie, Jesse, Heather, Ashley Messer, Dominic and Dayton Haugen; great-grandson, Aiden, and future great-granddaughter, Aleyah Messer; sisters, Odelia Kuntz, Frances (John) Barnhardt, and Rosemary Meyhoff, all of Bismarck; and a special cousin, David Erhardt, Houston, Texas.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Margaret Brown; infant siblings, George, Paul, Anton and Mathilda; brothers-in-law, Phillip Kuntz, Edward Meyhoff and Nick Brown.

Go to www.weigelfuneral.com to sign the online guest book and view flower photos.