Wilfred J. Machart

Wilfred J. "Bill" Machart, age 97 of Park River, ND passed away on Saturday, November 28, 2009 at the Altru Hospital of Grand Forks. Wilfred J. Machart was born October 29, 1912 in Norton Township of Walsh County, the son of the late Frank and Eleanor (Chizek) Machart. He attended school in Lankin, ND. Following his education he moved to Chicago, IL where he worked as a meat cutter. He returned to Lankin where he worked for area farmers and then later started driving truck for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Grand Forks, ND. Bill was united in marriage to Mildred "Millie" Kratochvil on October 2, 1939 in Adams, ND. The couple moved to Seattle where Bill worked as a painter in the shipyards during World War II. They later moved back to Lankin where he worked for Kratochvil Farms. Bill purchased the tavern in McCanna, ND on Jan. 1, 1947 and operated the bar for 12 years. He then started working for the Civil Service at the Grand Forks Air Force Base as a painter, retiring in 1973. The couple moved to Park River, ND in 1994. He was a member of the WFLA Kosobud Lodge of Lankin. Bill is survived by his wife Millie of Park River, ND; children: Louise (Bill) Novak, Pisek, ND; Maureen (Rick) Larson, West Fargo, ND; Larry (Renee) Machart, Grand Forks, ND; daughter-in-law: Lillian Machart, Cooperstown, ND; eight grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren, brother Earl (Betty) Machart, Grafton, ND. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Thomas, brothers: Raymond, Cecil, Harold, Robert and Wallace and sisters: Lillian Erickson and Vernice Sveen, great granddaughter Rachel. Memorial services will be Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 2:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River, ND. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Kosobud Cemetery near Lankin, ND.