John T. Kosobud
John T. Kosobud
John T. Kosobud, age 94 of Park River and formerly of Lankin, ND passed away on Friday, July 27, 2018 at First Care Health Center in Park River.
John Thomas Kosobud was born on October 6, 1923, to John M. and Mary (Shirek) Kosobud in Latona Township, Walsh County, rural Lankin, ND. He attended District 74 Latona Township #2 for grades 1-8. In 1935, at the age of 14, after his father passed away, John and his three brothers took over the farm. After graduation from 8th grade in 1937, he had an opportunity to go to high school in Adams, ND. He was asked by Roy and Alice Schultz, owners of Roy's Market in Adams, to live with them and work at the store for the summer and then attend school in the fall. He worked for one month, got too lonesome for the farm and moved back home. In January, 1940, John worked for the Civilian Conservation Corp, Company 797 at Kenmare, ND. He returned home after six months. He took over the family farm in 1945 until his retirement.
On November 4, 1946, John married Mayme Shereck. She passed away on January 17, 1959 after a long illness. On November 10, 1960 he married Dorothy Dvorak-Bosh at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Bechyne, rural Lankin, ND. Dorothy passed away June 24, 2017.
John served on the Latona Township Board in the early 1950's. He served on the school board for the Adams School District #128 from 1961-1967 and was president from 1964-1967. From 1970-1971, he was president of the Adams PTA and was a Hayshaker's 4-H Club leader from 1960-1966. He served on the Lankin/Adams Farmer's Union Board from 1968-1980. John was President of the WFLA Kosobud Lodge #106 for a total of 30 years, from 1965-1973, then 1983-1995. He also served several years as President of the Lankin Senior Citizen's Club.
John played button accordion most of his life. His father purchased a one-row button accordion for him when he was six years old and he taught himself to play by ear. From 1954-1960, John played with "The Original Hayshakers" of Lankin, ND. He played with "Happy John & the Dutchmen", from 1959-1987, with different people in the band over those years. In 1987, the band changed their name to the "Jolly Musicians" and the group remained together until retiring December 31, 1991. People came from near and far to listen, sing and dance to the "Old Time" music.
Farming was his life and he and Dorothy remained on the farm until 1989 when they moved to Lankin. Then spent summers on the farm and winters in Lankin until the farm auction in 1994. They remained in Lankin until moving, in November of 2015, to Sunrise Estates Senior Living in Park River, where John continued to live independently until the time of his death.
Survivors include his children: Roger (Audrey) Kosobud, Fargo, ND; Shirley (Randy) Setness, Gilbert, AZ; Maynard (Karen) Bosh, Mesa, AZ; Remy (Sherry) Bosh, Fargo, ND and Betty (Dr. Dan) Koenig, Park River, ND. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Kim (Kelly) Jacobsen, John (Sara) Kosobud, Kelly (Sean) Kramer, Carissa (Rene) Espinoza, Sarah (Scott) Osteen, Kari (Jake) Smith, Rachel Bosh, Brittany Bosh, Adam (Emily) Koenig, Evan (Kieran) Koenig, Austin Koenig, Annie Koenig and Andrew Koenig. Several great-grandchildren also survive, Kody Jacobsen, Kaitlyn Jacobsen, Carson Kosobud, Kate Kosobud, Colton Kramer, Josie Kramer, Grace Espinoza, Sophia Espinoza, Christian Espinoza, Liam Osteen, Nolan Osteen, Henry Smith, Tanner Wolf, Faith Wolf, Grace Melbye, Marcus Melbye, Mia Neugebauer, Weston Koenig, Warren Koenig and Baby Smith on the way. John is also survived by sister-in-law, Adelaide Dvorak, Grafton, ND. He was preceded in death by his first wife Mayme, second wife Dorothy, three brothers: Ted, Bill and Laddie and two sisters: Caroline Rysavy and Sylvia Shereck.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church of Park River. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the church. Friends may also call for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Kosobud Cemetery of rural Lankin, ND.
An online guestbook is available at: www.tollefsonfuneralhome.com
The Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River is in charge of the arrangements.