Derek Vollmuth

Derek Vollmuth, 44, Mandan, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 7, 2025, at his home.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, July 12, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made online to Hope Manor at www.hopemanor.org.

Born on November 21, 1980, to Freddy and Susan (Blazer) Vollmuth. He was raised and educated in Mandan, where he enjoyed high school sports and made many friends.

As a young child, his mom, Sue, adoringly remembers Derek as a good kid with a hatred for sleeping. His dad, Fred, fondly remembers how Derek was a busy boy, sneaking out of bed at night to hide toys in his work boots. Derek was always bringing laughter and love into their home, including the time he hid a popsicle under the couch to save it for later. Derek was a loving brother and best friend to Dana, and their spirited sibling rivalry only highlighted his protective nature. No one could cross Dana without Derek stepping up. Later when Derek became an uncle, he was so proud of his nieces and nephews and would do anything for them.

Derek's spirit extended beyond family; his friends were so important and loved by him. He was married to Samantha Barnes. Together, they navigated the joys and challenges of life, with Derek proudly stepping into his role as a committed father. He took pride in being a dad to his stepdaughter, Taylor, adopting his step-son Rylee, and his beloved birth daughter, Braylyn. Each outing with the kids was a chance for adventure and laughter, and those moments will forever shine in their hearts.

Derek spent his life digging into the adventures that filled it, quite literally as he worked in construction and loved operating machinery, living every day like it was a big sandbox. He worked for various construction companies. The past 12 years were with Weiss and Sons. With a passion for the great outdoors fostered by his father, Derek cherished hunting and fishing. He had a knack for finding fish wherever they were hiding, earning a special spot in the Whopper Perch Club that he loved bragging about. Family camping trips were a staple of his childhood.

In his free time, Derek was a pool shark, a former softball player, and a die-hard fan of Tough Truck Derbies, even breaking his back during one yet smiling through the pain. He had a knack for taking everything apart, although putting it back together was another story altogether. A proud Harley Davidson owner in his favorite color, black.

Derek, you will be missed, but we know you'll be digging around in our hearts forever.

He is survived by his step daughter, Taylor, son, Rylee and daughter Bralyn and their mom, Samantha Barnes, all of Bismarck; mother, Sue (Mike Hawkenson) Vollmuth, Mandan; father, Fred (Michelle Peterson) Vollmuth, Mandan; sister, Dana (Jason) Friedt and their children, Briele, Jayden, Korbin and Adison, all of Beulah; maternal grandpa, Ken Blazer, Mandan; step-sister, Allison (Vince) Goettle and their children, Makenna, Madison and Mason, all of Mandan; step -brother, Ryan Runge, Bismarck; mother and father-in-law, Terry and Nancy Barnes, Bismarck and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He is also survived by close friends, Guy Danielson and Bill Schneider.

He was preceded in death by his step-mother, Bernie Vollmuth; maternal grandmother, Virginia “Ginny” Blazer and paternal grandparents, Albin and Elizabeth “Eliz” Vollmuth.