Jacob Barnhardt

Jacob T. Barnhardt, 90, of Bismarck, passed away October 30, 2023, from renal failure at his home, surrounded by his wife and family. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Christ the King Catholic Church, Mandan. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM, Friday, November 3, 2023 with Rosary/Vigil at 5:30 PM at DaWise-Perry Funeral Services, 4211 Old Red Trail NW, Mandan. Burial will be at a later date at the ND Veteran’s Cemetery. There will be no viewing, as cremation has taken place.

Jacob (Jack) was born December 29, 1932, on the farm in Morton County, Mandan, ND to Mathias and Rose (Schmidt) Barnhardt. He was raised on the farm and graduated from Mandan High School in 1951. In 1955, Jack joined the Army Reserve, then later enlisted into the army during the Vietnam War. He served in the 11th Armored Cavalry as a tank mechanic, Specialist E4 from August 1956 to July 1958, near the Czech/Germany border. Jack was a proud veteran, serving on the Honor Guard for 23 years and led countless burials at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. He proudly represented his country in the Veterans Honor Flight in October 2016.

Upon returning from the service, Jack worked at Amoco Standard Oil of Indiana refinery as a crane operator and had several positions throughout the plant. Jack also met his bride, Mary Ann Jirges, and were married on September 17, 1960. They raised six children on a hobby farm (75-acres) West of Mandan along the Heart River. He supplemented his income by farming the land for alfalfa, garlic and sweet corn. He earned his associate degree from the Bismarck State College in Bismarck for Agriculture Farm Management. With a vested interest in his farm, he volunteered at the National Weather Service as a cooperative weather observer for 40 years. He volunteered for the Rural Fire Department as a firefighter for 15 years, holding titles of secretary and treasurer for the organization. He was a lifetime member to several community clubs such as Eagles, Knights of Columbus, Moose, AM Vets and Bismarck and Mandan VFW honor guard.

Jack retired from the refinery in 1993 after 38 years of service. After retirement, he continued to serve his fellow vets by volunteering as a van driver, logging more than 95,000 miles over 20 years, by escorting veterans to medical appointments at VA hospital in Fargo. His leisure time was spent camping, fishing and hunting with family and friends. He learned to square dance and enjoyed listening to polka music, playing card games like pinochle and junkyard rummy. He loved to tease people and share a good joke.

Jack is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary Ann (Jirges) Barnhardt; his children: Nancy (Jeff) Christensen of Lakeville, MN, Patricia (Paul) Weber of Eagan, MN, Gregory Barnhardt of Omaha, NE, Randall (Marla) Barnhardt of Mandan, ND and Benjamin Barnhardt of Bismarck, ND; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Peter Barnhardt and Robert Barnhardt; his daughter, Donna Marie (Barnhardt) Morgan; and his grandson, Andrew Christensen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to donor’s choice, North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery or Montessori school at Christ the King.