Monte Breckheimer

Monte James Breckheimer of Pekin, ND, died Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, ND.

Monte was born October 26, 1932 in McVille , ND to Clifford and Geneva (Twete). He was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph 's Catholic Church in Tolna, ND. He attended country grade school in Forde Township and graduated from Tolna High School in 1951.

Monte served in the US Army from 1954 to 1956 and was stationed in Germany. He was a squad leader for an anti-aircraft tank unit and received the rank of Corporal. Monte attended trade school in the state of Michigan under the G.I. Bill for machining and blue printing. He worked for Acme Electric in Grand Forks and at the Farmer's Union in Tolna for a short time. He came back to the family farm in 1961 where he lived and farmed until retirement in 1991. After retirement, Monte started his love for the Arts. He began painting and did many beautiful pieces with his most notorious piece being his self-portrait, which traveled around the state of North Dakota for over a year. He started making pottery using clay from his farmland. He entered many art shows and won several awards. Monte was also a musician and played with several bands in his earlier years. He and his wife provided music in church for several years. It wasn't until recent years that he picked up his music again, playing his acoustic, electric and bass guitars and had almost mastered the violin and the mandolin in the past year. He had one instrument left to master and it was the harmonica. Monte enjoyed getting together with local musicians for jam sessions.

Monte entered into marriage with Betty Risgaard on November 25, 1967, and together they were blessed with four sons.

Monte is survived by his wife Betty; sons, Jim (Tonya), Valley City, ND, Tom (Tricia), Luverne, ND, Paul (Alicia), Herminston, OR, and Jay, Tolna, ND; sisters, Bobbie Olson, Valley City, ND, Nola Bjelk, Placerville, CA, Charlene (Howard) Dapper, Raleigh, NC; brother, Charles (Ann) Breckheimer, Devils Lake, ND; grandchildren, Kyle Houle, Billy, Cheyenne, Brandon, Brooke, Kendra, Sully, Zoie and Darby Breckheimer; special nephew, Jon Breckheimer, Seattle, WA; special foreign exchange student, Mario Guerra, NJ; and many nieces and nephews.

Monte was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William and Lee Breckheimer.

Funeral Services for Monte will be Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. in Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, McHenry, ND. Visitation will be Friday, January 25, 2013 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. Vigil Service in Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and will continue one hour prior to services in the church. Interment will be in the Ottofy Cemetery, rural Pekin, ND.

Memorials are preferred to Nelson County Art Camp Scholarship Fund.