Emanuel J. Grad

Nov. 19, 1931 – Dec. 6, 2022

Emanuel J. Grad, 91, of Bismarck, formerly of Harvey, died Tuesday, Dec. 6th 2022 , at the Baptist Health Care Center. Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, Dec. 12th, 2022 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Selz, with Father Kevin Boucher officiating. Burial to take place following the service, at the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Sunday from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Hertz Funeral Home with prayer service beginning at 6:00 PM.

Emanuel was born November 19, 1931, on the family homestead, northwest of Selz, a son of John and Scholastica (Eisenzimmer) Grad. He grew up on the farm and attended rural school until the 8th grade. At a young age, Emanuel helped take over the family farm due to his fathers’ illness.

He married Dorothy Bachmeier at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fulda, ND on October 12, 1954. Together they farmed and lived on the Grad homestead. Emanuel took pride in his farming and enjoyed harvesting his fields. You could always find him outside tending to his cattle or tinkering with his equipment.

In 1972, they moved into Harvey where he worked for Martin Stumpf Construction for a time. He then got on with Pierce County in 1973, where he became known as the maintainer man. Emanuel loved his job and it showed in the pride he took to make sure all roads were in tiptop shape. He retired from the county in 1993. Emanuel was always busy in his shop fixing something. He enjoyed gardening and fertilizing his tomatoes! He was also well known for his pickled watermelon, which he shared with many of his neighbors and friends. He was often found visiting with someone or out in the field harvesting for David Hager. His passion for the fields stayed with him until the end. Emanuel was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, where he had served on the church board. He also served as the cemetery sexton for many years. He and Dorothy put many hours into the upkeep and maintaining of the cemetery grounds. He was a member of the Harvey Eagles Club, Knights of Columbus, had served on rural fire department and even drove school bus for a time.

In 2012, they moved to Lake Sakakawea, north of Beulah, to be near their daughters. They truly enjoyed the lake life and being closer to family. Emanuel adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren, which he loved to tease. After Dorothy’s death in 2017, Emanuel had moved to Bismarck in 2019, eventually moving into Baptist Health Care Center in Nov. 2021.

Emanuel is survived by his daughters, Marie (Keary) Johnson Mosbrucker of Wilton, Linda (Tim) Volk of Bismarck, and Karen (Jay) Seibel of Beulah; grandchildren: Duane (Jessica) Johnson of Wilton, Darin (Telli) Johnson of Minot, Tyler Volk of St. Paul, MN, Christopher Volk of Bismarck, Jared (Michelle) Seibel of Victoria, MN, and Kendra (Cody) Ungerer of Beulah; great-grandchildren: Kiara (special friend, Dylan Herner) & Isaiah Johnson, Riley, Brady & Kasen Johnson, Carter Volk, and Thea & Ellery Ungerer; one brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Maurus & Bernice Bachmeier of Prescott, AZ and numerous nieces and nephews.

Emanuel was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; a son, Emanuel Jr.; son-in-law: Michael Johnson, his parents, his brother, Patrick Grad; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.