JULIAN JACOB KOSTECKI

Julian J. Kostecki,78 a longtime rural Devils Lake farmer, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, December 22, 2011 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks. Mass of Christian Burial for Julian will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Dale Kinzler will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph?s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and at the church from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The Rosary and Scripture Service will be at 7:00 p.m. at the church with the Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus. Serving as Casket Bearers for Julian will be Douglas Kostecki, Chad Greening, Greg Greening, Brent Greening, Jacob Kostecki, Kevin Phyle, Taylor Hoffart, Waylon DeLorme and Frankie Reese. Honorary Bearers will be all of Julian’s dear friends and neighbors. Reading the Scriptures will be Alicia Greening and Julianne Greening and Gift Bearers will be Julian's Granddaughters. Trisha Hoffart will be reading the Scripture at the Vigil. Music will be provided by Lynne Webster and Audrey Myklebust. Julian Jacob Kostecki was born on April 30, 1933 at the family farm in Poplar Grove Township, Ramsey County, rural Devils Lake, ND the son of Jacob Vincent and Katarzyna (Niec) Kostecki. Julian would live his entire life in Ramsey County. He was educated at Poplar Grove Country School through the 8th grade. From an early age until his death, Julian was a true rancher and steward of the land. Julian was united in marriage to Rose Alma French on June 20, 1955 at Oakwood, ND. Not long after their marriage they bought their own farm in Poplar Grove from Erma Maney. They farmed and ranched here their whole lives. They had to sell the cattle in 1997 due to flooding and in the fall of 2011 they were forced to leave their home due to the rising waters of Devils Lake. Julian served on the Poplar Grove Township Board and also did road maintenance for the township for many years. He was very instrumental in forming the Devils Lake Rural Fire Department and served on the gaming board that raised funds to build the department into what it is today as well as serving as a volunteer for many years. He served on the Lake Region Credit Union Advisory Board for many years. Julian was also a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge and Eagles Lodge. If someone needed help, if someone needed a good neighbor, when the grandkids talked about their greatest fan and supporter, when someone said, devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, farmer, rancher and dearest friend- Julian Kostecki was the man they were talking about. Julian was always there with a helping hand. As much as he cared for family and friends, he gave that care to the livestock and farm pets too. He made a special trip to the farm every day to feed the cats. Julian loved to visit with friend and stranger and nothing sparked good conversation more than a friendly poker game. That was Julian. The man we all loved, cherished and will so miss. Julian is survived by his wife Rose; children Allyn (Jayne Gagne) Kostecki of Detroit Lakes, MN, Caryn (Richard Grabowski) Greening of Carmichael, California, Jerrold (Jolene) Kostecki of Devils Lake, Danny J. (Sheri) Kostecki of Burnsville,Minnesota, Michael (Tonya Slack) Kostecki of Walla Walla, Washington and DeAnne (Donovan) Hoffart also of Devils Lake; daughter-in-law Debra Kostecki of Bloomington, Minnesota; twelve granddaughters Kassandra Kostecki, Nichole (Waylon) DeLorme, Julianne Greening, Alicia Greening, Jackie (Frankie) Reese, JaCinda Kostecki, Lauren Phyle, Jessica Kostecki, Kyra Kostecki, Olivia Kostecki, Sophia Kostecki and Trisha Hoffart; seven grandsons Douglas Kostecki, Chad (Teresa) Greening, Greg (Michelle) Greening, Brent Greening, Jacob Kostecki, Kevin Phyle and Taylor Hoffart; six great grandchildren Mason Kostecki, Madison Dearinger, Treyson Greening, Brooklyn Greening, Wylee DeLorme and McKenna DeLorme and two step great grandchildren Garyn Hamre and Kaylen Hamre; brother Matt (Mary) Kostecki of Devils Lake; sisters Janina (Dennis) Jaeger of St. Charles, Missouri and Mary (Darrell) Skramstad of Cushing, Minnesota; daughter-in-law Karen Kostecki of Fargo, ND and son-in-law Tom Greening of Devils Lake; many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws survive. Julian was preceded in death by his parents; son David Kostecki and two children in infancy.