Virgil "Skip" Malchert

Virgil “Skip” Malchert, 91, passed away on August 14, 2023 at St. Vincent’s Care Center in Bismarck.  He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00AM, Thursday, August 17 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway. The family will greet guests an hour before the service.

A private family interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery south of Mandan.

Virgil Lawrence Malchert was born on January 19, 1932, in Bismarck, to Wallace and Helen (Kurtz).  He was their only son with three daughters born after him.

His Grandma Kurtz nicknamed him Skip and he was called that all of his life.  When some would call him Virgil, he would respond, “My friends call me Skip.” 

His first jobs were working at the Hazelton Hardware Store and helping assemble farm machinery and also helping his dad deliver fuel to the area farmers.

He was raised and educated in Hazelton, ND, graduating in 1950.  He enlisted in the National Guard in the 164th Inf. Reg. on November 8, 1949.  His unit was called to active duty in the Army for the Korean War and he left by train on January 22, 1951, for Camp Rucker in Dothan, Alabama, for six months training.  He then attended Infantry Radio Maintenance School for four months in Fort Benning, Georgia.  He shipped out to Camp Haugen, Japan, in January 1952.  He worked on radios that had been damaged by the North Koreans.  He returned to the U.S. in August 1952 and was honorably discharged from active duty as a sergeant in the Army on November 6, 1952.

He was united in marriage to Marlene Weber on September 2, 1953, in Linton, ND.  They started their married life in Mandan, where he was employed by John Iverson Co.  They were blessed with three children:  Debbie, Brian, and Gail who were born in Mandan.

They moved to Williston  in 1961 where Skip was employed by John Iverson Co. as a salesman and also manager of the electronics department until he retired in 1994. 

He was a member of the Williston Camera Club winning many awards for his photography.  He was also an advisor on the board for the high school electronics class. Skip was very capable in finding problems and repairing electronic equipment and appliances.  He enjoyed hunting birds and walleye fishing and loved camping with their family, friends and the Good Sam RV Club.  They spent many weekends camping and fishing as a family and enjoyed many vacations in Minnesota and Southern states.  They visited 35 states via car or camper having camped for 40 years.  Their most memorable trip was with their children and spouses to Bar Harbor, Maine, for their 50th wedding anniversary. Skip and Marlene were active in the Williston Senior Center and delivered Meals on Wheels for several years, making many friends.  Skip enjoyed playing games and cards with his family and friends; his favorite card game was pinochle. He was an active member of the Faith United Methodist Church and served on several church boards and committees including the annual Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner.

After living in Williston for 49 years, Skip and Marlene moved to Bismarck in 2010.  He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and the lives they lived and the children they raised.

After a bout with COVID-19, isolation, and other complications, Skip moved to St. Vincent’s Care Center.

Thank you to the nurses, CNAs, and other staff at St. Vincent’s for their respect and compassion in caring for Skip.

Skip will be dearly missed by his loving wife Marlene of almost 70 years; his three children, Debbie (Steve) Van Berkom, Brian Malchert, and Gail (Scott) Smith along with his six cherished grandchildren: Gretta (Jeremy) Simonson, Jason (Tara) Van Berkom, Molly Malchert, Tara (Matt) Klungtvedt, Michelle (Jed) Repko, and Matthew (Lauren) Smith and also 11 beautiful great-grandchildren: Nathan, Alex,  Bridget, Walter, Lydia, Levi, Adelaide Jack, Wyatt, Lucy and David.  Skip is also survived by two sisters, Shirley (Gary Ryan) Knapp and Carol (LeRoy) Humann and several nieces and nephews.

Skip was preceded in death by his parents Wallace (1950) and Helen (1969); sister Millicent (Millie) Boyd, and brothers-in-law Richard (Dick) Knapp, Gary Boyd Sr., and Ivan Boyd.

Every day God calls souls home.  Skip is home now – his journey is complete – his soul is with God.  Although we mourn his loss, his life and legacy will live on through all those blessed to have known him and we look forward to one day seeing him again.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be sent to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery or a charity of the donor’s choice.