William Schemionek

William H. “Bill” Schemionek, 81 of Devils Lake formerly of Loma, ND died on Friday, June 25, 2010 at his home in the loving care of his family and Mercy Hospice. Funeral Services for Bill will be held on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Jeff Nicla will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Bill will be his grandchildren, Justin Schemionek, Ryan Schemionek, Alexus Schemionek, Cody Birkeland, Lindsey Birkeland and Levi Hollinger. Music will be provided by Tom Wade, soloist and Lynda Pearson, organist. William Harold Schemionek, son of William and Marie (Fish) Schemionek was born on March 24, 1929 at Loma, ND where he was reared and educated, graduating from Loma High School. After graduating, he farmed with his Dad until he entered the United States Army at Fargo, ND on November 6, 1953. He served his country during the Korean War as an Administrative Specialist with the 766th CIC Det. in France. Bill was honorably discharged from active duty on October 29, 1955 and was a member of the Army Reserves until 1961. After his discharge, Bill worked for a short time in a factory in Chicago then returned to North Dakota. Bill was united in marriage to Ilene Nagel on November 16, 1957 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake. Bill was working as a bartender at the Mayer Hotel and later he managed the VFW Club for over 15 years. Bill and Marley Becker decided to start a custom combining operation which they operated for many years and eventually Bill would take over the operation on his own. After the harvest run was over, Bill would spend his winter months cooking at Lake Region College. Bill’s work ethic and variety of talents was the perfect match for his employment as the Maintenance Supervisor with the Devils Lake Public School Systems until he retired in 1994. After retiring, Bill and Ilene enjoyed winters in Casa Grande, Arizona and summers at their lake home on the shores of Devils Lake. Bill was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and a life-member of the ELKS Lodge and the VFW where he also served with the Color Guard. Bill was never idle in his retirement. He enjoyed wood working and restoring his 1939 Case VC tractor. He loved to garden but that was secondary to helping his son, Randy on the farm. Even in these last months, Bill had looked forward to his days working alongside his son. Bill was above all a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. We grieve for Bill has left this earthly life, but rejoice in his new eternal life. Bill is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ilene of Devils Lake and his son, Randy Schemionek and his wife, Julie of Penn, ND; grandchildren, Justin, Ryan and Alexus Schemionek of Penn, Cody and Lindsey Birkeland of Devils Lake and Levi Hollinger of Lefor, ND; brother, Francis Schemionek and his wife, Ann and sister, Irene Eng all of Devils Lake; many nieces, nephews and their families and his faithful canine companion, Cody also survive. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter Lori Hollinger; brother Frank Schemionek; sisters Mavis and Shirley Schemionek and Wilma Baker.