James "Jim" MrNak, 83, a lifelong rancher from Bowman, ND, died on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at the Southwest Healthcare Hospital in Bowman. Funeral Services for Jim will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, July 26, 2010 at the Bowman Lutheran Church. Pastor Galen Strand and Pastor Charles Swanson will officiate with burial to follow in the Bowman Cemetery. There will be a Family and Friends Service on Sunday, July 25, 2010 at the Bowman Lutheran Church beginning at 7:00 p.m. Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.
James Earl Mrnak was born on June 7, 1927 to Wencle and Alice (Monson) Mrnak on the family ranch south of Bowman that his grandfather homesteaded in 1906 and where he resided until his death on Wednesday, July 21, 2010. He and his only sibling a sister, Maxine Miller attended a country school and then he finished his education by graduating from Bowman High School in 1945. His love was the ranch and especially Hereford cattle. Jim started his herd 65 years ago. He was an avid student of cattle where he would learn and remember the pedigrees and history of many red and white animals. His intrests were visiting with friends and fellow Hereford breeders. He was very active in the local community and state activities. He was a 4-H leader, township board member, Bowman County Fair board, school board, church council, North Dakota Hereford Association where he served as a director and president, Consolidated Telephone, State ASCS committee, Bowman Farmers Union Oil board, Bowman Rotary and the N.D. Beef Council. Besides all these outside activities he was always there for his family which consisted of his wife Marlene (Brown) Mrnak whom he married on June 21, 1953. He is also survived by his five children, Connie (Mick) Hurlburt of Sturgis, SD, Wayne (Jill) Mrnak of Bowman, ND, Terry (Debby) Mrnak of Bowman, ND, Loren (Terrie) Mrnak of Whitmore, CA, and Carla (Chris) Coplan of Watertown, SD; eleven grandchildren, Mandy (Brandon) DeWitt, Tonya (Tim) Atyeo, Kelsey (Jon) Brosz, Robyn Mrnak, Brent (Jenna) Mrnak, Andy Mrnak, Hunter Thomas, Tanner Thomas, Tara Coplan, Clint Coplan and Marlee Coplan; seven great grandchildren, Chase DeWitt, Lance DeWitt, Myles DeWitt, Austin Atyeo, Ella Atyeo, Kyle Brosz and Ashlynn Brosz; and sister, Maxine Miller of Bowman, ND. Jim had many relatives and friends, he never met a stranger, and was loved by most. He will be deeply missed.
Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Services in charge of the arrangements.