Edward J. Janikowski, 88, of Rhame, ND, died early Wednesday morning, March 10, 2010 at the Southwest Healthcare Hospital in Bowman, ND.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the St. Charles Catholic Church in Bowman. Fr. David Morman will celebrate the Mass with burial to be in the spring in the Mound Cemetery, rural Rhame. There will be a Rosary and Scripture Services on March 19, 2010 at the St. Charles Catholic Church beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Edward was born on May 23, 1921 and raised in Winona, MN, the only son of Leo and Helen (Plucinich) Janikowski. He was employed with Winona Coal Company before enlisting on September 12, 1940 into the United States Army. He was active duty on January 6, 1941 with the 126th antiaircraft artillery gun battalion as a heavy truck driver. He served in the European Theater of operations for 15 months including France, Antwerp Belgium, England and Germany. He drove in combat under adverse conditions and received 4 battle stars for exceptional service. He was honorably discharged on November 2, 1945 after serving his country for 5 years, 1 month and 22 days.

With news of jobs paying $10.00 a day, Ed came to Rhame, ND the summer of 1947 and worked as a farm laborer for Leonard Bowman. While employed there he met his future wife who was also employed there. He married Grace Putney on October 3, 1951 in Baker, MT. They have lived in Mound Township since then and have raised a family of 8 children, 5 daughter and 3 sons. Summer community activities meant playing baseball as a catcher for the Crawford ball team against the area teams. Besides the busy farm, he also worked on the extra gang for the Milwaukee Railroad and for Bowman Steel putting up steel buildings. Ed had a very engaging personality, striking up a conversation with anyone. Known for "cat naps" at neighborhood brandings, he kept the pace going. No one could "caustic de-born" a call like Eddie. Many a kid as well as his grandchildren were entertained by his "false teeth" games. Though his hands were huge his heart was even more so.

He served several terms as a director of the Farmers Equity Elevator and supervisor of the Mound Township board. Ed and Grace were honored as "Grand Marshals" of the 2003 Rhame Gala Days Parade.

In the later years he spent more time reading westerns (Louis La Moure was his favorite), doing word search puzzles, watching the Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune and old movies. The Eido hidden glasses game was a weekly conquest. He remained on the "farm" working the hard but satisfying life with Grace by his side. The last several years, the hard work caught up with his body, but he still enjoyed the "country life". He was able to stay home till his last hospitalization in February of 2010.

He will be profoundly missed and survived by his wife of almost 59 years Grace, eight children; Donna (Marcus) Vogel of Bismarck, ND, Debra Janikowski of Annapolis, MD, Jerry (Marcia) Janikowski of Scranton, ND, Jayne Janikowski of Dickinson, ND, Teresa (Douglas) Kleven of Williston, ND, Thomas (Brenda) Janikowski of Natrona, WY, Steven (Brenda) Janikowski of Hankinson, ND, Kimberly (Troy) Hohbein of Bismarck, ND, twenty two grandchildren, Tonya (Larry) Vogel of Mandan, ND, Jeremy (Erica) Vogel of Eau Claire, WI, Rachael (Manlio) Zuniga of Mequon, WI, Alesha Vogel of Wheaton, IL, Melissa Hudspeth of Rhode Island, Jerid (Cami) Janikowski of Bowman, ND, Jamie Janikowski of Reeder, ND, Luke Janikowski of Scranton, ND, Joel Janikowski of Bismarck, ND, Bryan (Jennifer) Janikowski of Brockton, MT, Casondra Kleven, Crete, NE, Riley Kleven of Williston, ND, Heather Kendricks of Kuwait, Kelsey Janikowski of Scotts Bluff, NE, Cody (Shontay) Janikowski of Golva, ND, Jose and Zoe Janikowski of Natrona, WY, Derek and Aundrea Janikowski of Hankinson, ND, Brittany (Adam) Janikowski of Minot, ND, Joshua Hohbein of Mandan, ND and Brandon Hohbein of Bismarck, ND, seven great grandchildren; Lanie Jo and Reese Janikowski of Bowman, ND, Wambidi Yellow Hammer and April Brown of Brockton, MT, Landon and Kaden Janikowski of Scotts Bluff, NE and Nyla Vogel of Eau Claire, WI, cousins; Delores Wicka and family and other cousins, neices; Diann Pomeroy, Patty (Forest) Day, Karen (Tom) Brown and their families, Sandra Putney and Glynis (Paul) Gagnon and families, nephews; Robert (Jan) Wanek and Steve Nelson and family, James Putney.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jacob and Augustine, parents, Leo and Helen, sisters, Bernadine (Ed) Nelson, Evelyn (Walter) Kulas, and an infant sister, father and mother-in-law, George and Pearl Putney, brother-in-law, James (Larene) Putney, 10 uncles, 4 aunts, numerous cousins and 2 great grandsons, Brock and Brody Hohbein.