Joseph Selensky

Joseph Selensky

Joseph L. Selensky, the son of Bernard and Barbara (Hilzendager) Selensky, was born in the Orrin, North Dakota, home of his parents on October 12, 1925.He died at the age of 85 years on Friday, March 4, 2011, at Trinity Medical Center in Minot, North Dakota.

Joe was raised in the Orrin home of his parents until the age of seven, when the family moved to the rural Rugby area where he received his education in a rural school near his home.On March 27, 1951, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served in Korea during the war there and unfortunately was wounded with artillery shrapnel, which did earn him the Purple Heart.On January 10, 1953, he was honorably discharged from active duty.Following service, he returned home and, on November 24, 1953, he was united in marriage to Rose Mary Lesmeister at Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby.Following their marriage, the couple made their home for the next 1 years in Kansas City, Kansas, where Joe took employment with General Motors.In the spring of 1953, the couple purchased a farm in rural Harlow, North Dakota, where they made their home and raised their family.In 1988, Joe and Rose retired from active farming and remained on the farm in Harlow until moving to Rugby in 2006.He was a member of Little Flower Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and enjoyed gardening and taking short trips; however, he was persuaded to take an Alaskan cruise with Rose and his brother and sister-in-law.

Survivors include his wife Rose; one daughter, Jolene, and husband, Jeff Evenson, of Las Vegas; one son, Joel, and his wife, Shari, of St. Joseph, Minn.; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Anna Marie Selensky and Theresa (Casper) Bachmeier, all of Rugby; three brothers, Fred, Edward (Elaine), and James (Bernice), all of Rugby; sisters-in-law, Marie (John) Selensky, Ann (Steve) Selensky, and Alice (Jacob) Selensky; brothers-in-law, Louie (Katherine) Grad and Ed (Frances) Heilman; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.He was preceded in death by three brothers, John, Steve, and Jacob Selensky; two sisters, Katherine Grad and Frances Heilman; and his parents.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Thursday, March 10, 2011, at Little Flower Catholic Church, Rugby, with spring burial in the church cemetery.Fr. Tom Graner and Deacon, Rev. Mr. Arlen Blessum, officiated.

Special music was provided by Joel and Shari Selensky. Glenda Mack was organist and Sara Selensky was vocal leader/cantor.

Military honors were accorded by The Clarence Larson American Legion Post #23 Honor and Color Guard of Rugby and The North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Detail.

Casketbearers werenephews, Dale, Darren, Fred, Vincent, Randy, and Leonard Selensky and Kenneth Heilman.

Arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.