Michael R. "Dick" Neis

Michael Richard “Dick” Neis passed away early Wednesday morning, December 7, 2011 at 3:54 Am at the University of Minnesota Fairview Hospital, Minneapolis, MN. He was 77 years old. Mass of Christian Burial for Dick will be held on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Fr. Dale Kinzler celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Serving as Casket Bearers for Dick will be Tom Neis, Dave Neis, Rich Neis, Bob House, Peter Lund and Jonathon Lund. Honorary Bearers will be Lee and Mercedes Schmidt, Rick and Liz Suda, Peter and Bonnie Padilla, Lloyd Lorenz and Irene Meyer. Reading the Scriptures and Gift Bearers will be Margery Neis and Bob House. Music will be provided by Kevin Regan and Audrey Myklebust. Dick was born on September 25, 1934, the son of John and Regina (Folk) Neis at Devils Lake, ND. He attended St. Joseph’s Grade School and St. Mary’s High School, graduating in 1952. He attended the then Junior College in Devils Lake for two years. He joined the United States Army and served his country during the Korean War from 1954 to 1956. After his honorable discharge, he attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, graduating with a degree in Industrial Engineering in 1959. On June 9, 1959, Dick was united in marriage to Joanne Minette. They made their home in California where Dick was employed by Purex Corporation. In 1961, they came back to Devils Lake to take over his parents’ laundry business. Later, bad health caused him to change careers, and he became a Farmers Insurance agent, but was again unable to keep the agency going due to having heart problems. Dick received a heart transplant at the University of Minnesota Fairview Hospital in 1991 where he recuperated for three months. Upon returning to Devils Lake, he opened a small backyard Fix-It Shop where he repaired small appliances. During this time period, he frequently attended local auctions and became quite the collector of old appliance parts. After closing down the Fix-It Shop, he retired permanently turning the shop into a small pool hall and card playing center for his friends. Dick was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and very active in St. Joseph’s Choir, serving as Choir Director for two years and also caring for and repairing the Pipe Organ for many years. He was also a member of Disabled American Veterans. Dick’s last few years were plagued with health problems. Even though he is sorely missed, we are happy he is in a better place and pain free. Dick is survived by his wife, Joanne; his children and grandchildren, Richard Neis and his wife Sandy and their children, Katie and Jack of Alberton, Montana, Susan and her husband Peter Lund and their son, Jonathon of Grand Forks, ND, Margery Neis and her husband Bob House and their children, Sabina and Tessa of San Francisco, California, Thomas Neis and David Neis both of New Hope, Minnesota; sisters Jeanne Weber of Casselton, Helen (James) Murray of Green Valley, Arizona and Bernadette Neis of Richfield, Minnesota; brothers, Fred (Bernadette) Neis of Devils Lake and Ed (Sharon) Neis of Shoreview, Minnesota; many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; Memorials may be sent to St. Joseph’s School, St. Joseph’s Parish or to your favorite charity.