Sheldon “Putt” Eugene Cieslak, 86, went home to Heaven on March 6, 2026

Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, March 21, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E Divide Ave, Bismarck.

Burial will be held at the Mandan Union Cemetery, Mandan.

He was born to Luella (Field) and Alexander Cieslak on January 15, 1940, in Bismarck, ND.

He attended Saint Mary’s Central High School, where he excelled in sprots, especially football. He played offense and defense. He shined on the defensive side, and he warned high school All American his senior year. “We lost a heartbreaker to Bismarck High, 27-26, that was the most memorable game of my playing career”. Sheldon graduated from Saint Mary’s Central High School in 1958. He was inducted into the Saint Mary’s Central High School Hall of Fame in 2022. It was an honor that he was extremely proud of.

Sheldon enlisted in the United States Air Force and served honorably from 1958-1962. He returned to Bismarck and moved to Hammond, IN for many years. Bismarck was home and he returned where we worked for Bismarck Junior College for many years, along with Service Master.

Putt’s career took him to Arizona, where he worked for the Flagstaff School District, he was responsible for many schools. He ended his career as a Project Manager for North Sky Engineering.

In retirement, he discovered a love of golf. A day on the course was a good day!

Putt’s faith remained strong and important throughout his life. He enjoyed sharing his faith through prison ministries for years. If someone was in need, he was always ready to help in any way he could. He never met a stranger.

He made many special friends throughout his life, and he cherished those friendships.

He loved to tell stories, to laugh, and to make you laugh. He loved classic country music, he loved dogs, and he loved chocolate covered peanuts, pie and coffee.

Sheldon is survived by his wife Lona Faye, sons, Scott (Anell) Cieslak, Dan (Julie) Cieslak, his daughters, Janelle Pepple, Shelley (Gary) Harper, step daughters Kimberly and Allison. His sister, Albina (Tony) Bachmeier. His sister-in-law, Mary (Richard) Cieslak. His grandchildren, Garrett (Ana), Allison (Willie), Jordan (Brian), Sean, Zachary, Hayden. His nephews, Sheldon (Joni), Richard, Shawn and niece, Gina

He is proceeded in death by his parents, Luelle and Al, his brother, Richard, his cousin, who was like his brother, Orville, his daughter, Stacy and grandson, Michael (Amy).

Sheldon’s family would like to thank Sanford Hospice and Sunset Good Samaritan Skilled Nursing Home for the compassionate, attentive, comforting care they provided for our Dad. We are very thankful to all of the staff.