Earl F. Machart

Earl Franklin Machart, age 96, gained his heavenly wings on May 20, 2016, at home with his family by his side. Earl was born in rural Lankin, ND September 19, 1919 to Lena (Chizek) Machart and Frank Machart.

Growing up through the Great Depression on the family homestead, hardships were numerous. After leaving home, Earl joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to earn money to send to his Mom and siblings on the farm. He joined the Army and as a result of his CCC experience, he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sargent. One of his first assignments was to organize the food services for the troops onboard the SS Queen Mary. He was ordered to devise a food distribution plan to orchestrate the rotation of troops through the dining rooms of the domestic liner. He created a plan and executed it flawlessly.

Earl’s war duties in Europe, included setting up and operating kitchens to feed the thousands of troops heading to and returning from the front lines. He utilized all resources to insure the men and women had delicious meals just like back home, including “home made” peanut butter cookies. He even traded with civilian businesses in Europe swapping surpluses of peanut butter, which was not a European staple. In exchange, he would barter for heavy cream that he would use to make ice cream for "his" soldiers. He always said he knew he would not see all of the soldiers return, so he thought that the least he could do was to give them the best home cooked meals to help with their journey. A true member of The Greatest Generation.

Upon returning from the service, he attended Mayville State College, studying business and eventually settling in Grafton. He worked for Gamble's Store helping to supply the city with the necessary supplies to weather some of Grafton’s numerous floods and other emergencies. Earl eventually became Grafton's City Auditor and Treasurer, a position he held for thirty-three years until his retirement. The city of Grafton benefited greatly because of Earl’s financial expertise. He met Betty Jane LeQuire and they married in 1955. Their marriage created five children, who were Earl's pride and joy.

Other jobs and hobbies that Earl enjoyed throughout the years included: breakfast short order cook to all, avid fisherman, flower gardener, professional back scratcher, problem solver like MacGyver, house and playhouse builder, mud pie baker, Mr. Fixit, bubble gum maker, bird bed and bath operator, unpaid Pictionary creator, Santa's helper, Harry O' Walter (spy), creative thinker, storyteller, and reciter of poetry.

Earl was a member of VFW, American Legion, Past President of the Eagles Club 2803, AA, Knights of Columbus, and St. John's Catholic Church.

So very grateful to have shared in his life, his survivors are Betty, his wife of 61 years (Grafton, ND), his children Gail (Jon) Lasham (Gillette, WY),  Deborah (Herb) Winzer (Vesleyville, ND), Kevin (Bea) Machart (Grafton, ND), Scott Machart (Grand Forks, ND), & Nicole (Rick) Reuwsaat (Sioux Falls, SD), grandchildren Jacob Lasham (Missoula, MT), Casey Bessette (Grafton, ND), Sara Kuhbacher (Gillette, WY), Emily Flanders (Sioux Falls, SD), Chloe Rodriguez (Grand Forks, ND), Lexi Rodriguez (Grand Forks, ND,) and great-grandchildren Lena, Liam, and Oliver as well as numerous nieces and nephews, sister’s in-law Mabel (Ray) Machart and Mildred (Wilfred) Machart.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Lena and Frank, brothers Ray, Wilfred, Harold, Wallace, Cecil, Robert, sisters Vernice Sween, Lillian Erickson and nephew Myron.

Over the many years, Earl and his family have appreciated all the loving care he received from his medical and   spiritual caregivers at Unity Hospital: Dr. Hafeez, Dr. Omotunde, the staff from Altru Home Care & Hospice, VA Medical Center, Father Timothy Schroeder and volunteers from St. John’s Catholic Church.

Visitation at Tollefson Funeral Home, 154 W. 12th Street Grafton, ND will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 23 with a Prayer Services at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services are scheduled at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24 at St. John’s Catholic Church, 344 W. 15th Street Grafton, ND, 58237.

Earl’s wish is for any memorials and donations to be directed to Altru Home Care and Hospice or St. John's Catholic Church's Haiti School Building Fund.

Earl lived through many difficult and uncertain times throughout his 96 years, but his attitude was "just wait a day and things will change". He carried this unwavering, positive attitude, and concern for everyone around him until his last breath.