Tony Puklich

STEELE - Anthony "Tony" Puklich, 81, Steele, died Sept. 9, 2013, in a Bismarck hospital. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, Steele. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Steele, with military honors.

Visitation will be held today at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, Steele, from 4 p.m. until the start of the evening prayer service at 7 p.m.

Tony was born March 3, 1932, on the family farm near Braddock, to Frank and Mary (Shortic) Puklich. He attended country school near their farm and assisted his family with the daily operation of their farm.

Tony entered the U.S. Army on Aug. 19, 1952, serving his country honorably until his discharge on Aug. 2, 1954.

Following his discharge, he continued his education at NDSCS in Wahpeton and Fargo. He received his training as a mechanic, electrician and also was certified in welding.

He returned to his roots following his military service, when he took a job with Kidder County. He maintained and built roads, honed his skills as a mechanic for almost 20 years.

Tony was united in holy marriage to Bernice Meier on July 9, 1971, at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Steele. They moved to the family farm located six miles south of Steele in 1972, where they were blessed to raise five children.

Puklich Custom Hay Hauling continued on that farm for the next 43 years. In addition to the use of his stack mover he built, Tony expanded the business to custom swathing and bailing with the help of his family until his health and the loss of his shop in 2012 to a fire forced his retirement at the age of 80.

He loved to work in the yard and was often found "tinkering" in that shop. Many things were custom made for his stack mover and large repairs to equipment were considered routine.

In addition to work, Tony found time to enjoy the outdoors during his life. He enjoyed fishing and often spoke of hunting in the day when there weren't any limits on game. He was often found on the pond behind his house shooting ducks, geese or looking for the next big buck with his family and friends.

He was a member of St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Steele. Tony was devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, trusted brother and true friend. He will be missed by all who shared in his life.

His loving family includes his loving wife of 42 years, Bernice Puklich, Steele; his children, Lisa (Gene) Wetzstein, Tampa, Fla., Garrick (Joanna) Puklich, St. Paul, Minn., Greg (Laura) Puklich, St. Paul, Minn., Desiree (Jason) Harter, Rapid City, S.D., and Shawn Puklich, Mandan; his grandchildren, Jacob and Caleb Wetzstein and Rylan and Ava Harter; three sisters, MaryAnn Brownlee, Dallas, Texas, Fran Loepke, Bismarck, and Rose Knudson, Piasa, Ill.; two brothers, Mike (Karen) Puklich, Chaska, Minn., and Frank Puklich, Steele; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Ann O'Brien, Judy Perius and Helen Wagner; and three brothers, Stan, Steve and John Puklich.

Those wanting to sign the online memorial register book or share memories are invited to use www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com. (Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot)