John Slag

Francis J. Slag “John”, completed his work on earth after a long and full life to join the Lord and loved ones in Heaven on June 24, 2018. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, June 29, at Church of St. Mary, 806 E Broadway Ave, Bismarck, ND, with Msgr. Gene Lindemann officiating. Cremation has taken place. A memorial gathering will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 pm on Thursday, June 28, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 East Divide Avenue, Bismarck, where a vigil/rosary will begin at 7:00 pm. Burial will be held at St. Anne’s Cemetery in Hebron, ND, on Friday June 29, at 2:00 pm. John always said he was born on the way up.  He was born in the elevator at St. Alexius Hospital on Feb. 20, 1927, to parents, Frank and Hermina Slag. John chose to be called John out of respect to his uncle, Father John Slag, who he greatly admired and held high reverence. He attended school at St. Mary’s while enjoying living of the farm with his parents and siblings.  When World War II started, he left high school to serve in the Navy.  When the war was over, he returned to St. Mary’s to complete his senior year.  He continued his education completing college courses. He met and married Marian A. Nagel.  They remained together for 70 years.  Eight children were born of this union. He held various jobs early in his adult life, then settled to working for the government, first with testing buffalo in the Badlands and cattle in the stockyards of Omaha then to his last career as Postmaster at Hebron.  He always had a treat for the little children who stopped at the desk and time for a chat with customers.  John always felt it was his duty to serve, even after the war.  He attempted to improve his corner of the world, serving on the Hebron school board, park board, city commission and as Mayor.  He was involved in the community betterment program in helping to establish the Hebron Sports Complex.  He wanted to leave this world a better place. One of his last efforts was to push for Veteran benefits for long term needs, which was signed into law this past May 2018. Besides his family, John had such a great love and joy of raising horses, which he continued until he could no longer physically care for them.  John is survived by his wife, Marian; two sons, Michael (Blanche) Duluth, MN, and Frank (Cindy) Dickinson, ND; and six daughters, Margaret (Larry) Dittus, Patricia (Larry) Wood, Bismarck, ND, Marian (Kerry) Schorsch, New  England, ND, Deborah (Doug) Walters, Bismarck, ND, Susan (Dale) Moline, Mandan, ND, and Joanne (Keith) Zahn, Williston, ND;  brothers, Tom (Leona) Slag and Victor (Susan) Slag; sister-in-law, Iva Slag; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.                                                                                                    He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Herman, Bernard, Joseph, Robert; sisters, Jean, Magdalin, and Mary; and grandsons, Justin “Bucky” Walters, Robert Dittus and Patrick Schorsch.  Family requests memorials be given to Wounded Warriors.