Fredrick D. "Fred" Neis

Fredrick D. “Fred” Neis, 78 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Sunday morning, December 17, 2017 at his home in the loving care of his family.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 22, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in the 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. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, December 21st from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m.  The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus with Reverend Mr. Ken Severinson, Deacon leading the Scripture Service.  Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass.  Fredrick Damian, one of twin boys, was born on January 17, 1939 to John and Regina (Folk) Neis at the family home on 8th Street NE in Devils Lake.  He grew to adulthood in this home.  Fred graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1956.  Fred was always a hard worker and worked with his parents in their laundry business shoveling coal into the boiler and starting at age 8 delivering laundry around town. He would help with this throughout his life, until his parents sold it. After graduating, Fred worked for a time at the KC Club and other short jobs until he made a decision regarding his future and his life’s work.   Fred enlisted in the North Dakota National Guard and served for 30 years, spending most of that at Camp Grafton.  He held several positions in the Guard, including being a recruiter, vehicle maintenance mechanic, and he retired as the heavy equipment repairman supervisor.  Fred was united in marriage to Bernadette P. Cypher on November 29, 1985 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.  They established their home in Devils Lake to build their entire life together. After retiring from the Guards, Fred took on the task of caring for his two sons while Bernadette worked outside the home.  He also decided to take on the cooking responsibilities.  His menu was not extensive, but his cooking temperature was consistently on HIGH.   Fred loved his family, was so proud of his boys and was thankful he could spend so much time with them. Fred was a life member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he was baptized, made his First Communion and was confirmed.  He also was a life member of the Knights of Columbus.  When he had time, he enjoyed watching TV, playing Solitaire on the computer, and sending and keeping up with emails to friends and family. Fred is survived by his loving family.  His wife of 32 years, Bernadette; sons John of Devils Lake and Curtis of Kearney, Nebraska; Fred’s twin brother Edward (Sharon) Neis, Shoreview, MN; sisters Regina “Jeannie” Weber, Casselton, ND, Helen (James) Murray, Green Valley, AZ, and Bernadette E. Neis, Richardton, MN; brothers-in-law Earl (Anita) Cypher, Park Rapids, MN and Craig Cypher, Denver, CO; sisters-in-law Carol Neis, Pennsylvania, Joanne Neis, Minneapolis, Mary Agnes Cypher, Arizona, Carol Cypher, Wadena, MN; many nieces, nephews and their families also survive.  He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws Earl and Agnes Cypher; his brothers, baby John “Jackie”, Frank, and Michael Richard “Dick” Neis; his sister Gevevieve Hokum (Neis); brothers-in-law Richard Hokum, Francis Weber, Daniel Cypher, and Henry Cypher; sister-in-law Ramona Cypher;and niece and nephew Cynthia Rose Cypher and Ron Murray.