Virgil Elmer Malard passed away Tuesday July 23rd, 2024 at Eventide Nursing Home after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Virgil was born on May 28th, 1937 in Bismarck, ND to Ralph and Helen (Agnew) Malard. He grew up and attended school in Menoken, ND and started helping on the family farm and other farmers in the area.
Virgil met Carol Heth in the Wing/Tuttle area in 1955 and they married on Oct 28th, 1956. Through the years they welcomed 4 children, Brian, Bruce, Jennifer and Brent. Virgil worked in the Tuttle cheese plant before starting with (NP) Burlington Northern Railroad in the early 1960’s where he worked as a heavy equipment operator running bulldozers, payloaders and dragline. His work took him to several different areas of North Dakota where his family would often join him to spend summer vacations. The
kids always loved spending time with him and staying in a “bunk car” and riding with him to his job site on a railcar. He taught his kids how to drive on the back country roads and allowed them to play in the dirt while he worked but he always knew where they were at and what they were doing.
The family finally settled in Jamestown in the early 70’s. Virgil & Carol were active members of St Paul’s United Methodist Church Jamestown for many years. Prior to his retirement from the railroad in 1999 he also assisted with many Boy Scout activities and adventures with Troop 100. We were able to spend many summers at Camp Wilderness in Minnesota. Both Brian and Bruce were in Boy Scouts.
After retirement he couldn’t sit still and was always helping someone especially his kids, building sheds, decks, remodeling or always making sure his elderly neighbors wouldn’t have to worry about snow removal. He always made sure the mailman had a snow free path through the neighborhood. He also enjoyed attending the Central North Dakota Steam Threshers Reunion throughout the years.
He could carry on a conversation with anyone in the room and had made many friends over the years. He enjoyed traveling to see his children and taking vacations with them. A special memory for him was a 2 week driving trip with Bruce from North Dakota to Anchorage Alaska and family trips to Yellowstone Park, Texas, Caribbean Cruise and Hawaii. Growing up around his Aunt Ella and Uncle Elmer’s band he grew to love Polka/Waltz music and listened to it whenever he could. His feet or hands would always be tapping to the music.
He is survived by son Bruce (Andrea) Malard Sterling AK, daughter Jennifer (Rick) Schonauer, Jamestown. Grandsons Matthew Schonauer, Erik, Chris, Lee and Nicholas Malard along with 6 great grandchildren Deklyn, Kelso, Raylan, Clementine, Penelope and Austin. Sisters-in-law Joyce Avent and Lavina Malard along with many special Aunts and Uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws Peter and Enola Heth, wife Carol, sons Brian and Brent. Brother Cecil along with several close relatives.
The family would like to thank the Eventide East Wing staff for the special care that was given to him over the years. He loved you all dearly. You were his family when we couldn’t be there.
A celebration of life will be held at St Paul’s United Methodist Church followed by a private family burial.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in his name to the Parkinson’s Foundation/Research or Life Source-Organ Donation.
Eddy Funeral Home.