Roy Walter Werner

Roy Walter Werner died peacefully at home on April 14, 2017, at the age of 98 on the family farm in Bloom Township, Jamestown, ND, where he was born on December 16, 1918. Roy’s parents Herbert and Rebecca (Jeske) Werner farmed in Verona, ND, for a short time before moving to Bloom Township in 1913, where the family farm was established. Roy attended Bloom Township rural school and went on to farm with his father. In June, 2013, the 100th anniversary of the Werner Family Farm was celebrated with recognition as a North Dakota Centennial Farm.

Roy entered the United States Air Force on April 13, 1942, during World War II. He received his basic training at Jefferson Barracks, MO, and then entered the Air Force Training Center at Chanute Field, IL. His service tour of duty was in the Aleutian Islands for two years as an airplane mechanic and crew chief. He returned to the United States to Fort Sumner, NM, where he continued serving his country until his honorable discharge on October 19, 1945. He then returned to Jamestown to continue farming with his father.

Roy married Mary Lou Kourajian in Jamestown on June 25, 1947, and they made their home in Bloom Township on the family farm. Roy was a good steward of the land and was proud of his work with his cattle herd. He felt a closeness to God as he worked the land. He retired from farming in 1992 but continued his work with his cattle until after his 90th birthday.

Roy was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, the former Evangelical United Brethren Church, and was instrumental in assisting with construction of the current church building. He was actively involved in his church and volunteered countless hours in various roles including religious education teacher, youth leader and chairman of the Board of Trustees , the Finance and Administrative Board, the Men’s Brotherhood and the Council of Ministries, Evangelism and Christian Education. In 2009, Roy was recognized by the United Methodist Dakota Conference for his faithful ministry to his church.

Roy was also active in his community and in the Republican Party. He served as a scout leader, PTA President and as District 12 & 29 Republican Party chairman. He served on the Bloom Township School Board for many years until the merger with the Jamestown School District. He faithfully served as a Bloom Township supervisor for forty five years, holding the position of chairman for most of those years. He also served as chairman of the Stutsman County Township Officer’s Association and in 1997 was presented the Mr. Township award by the ND Township Officer’s Association.

Roy is survived by his wife, Mary, with whom he shared his life for seventy years. They were blessed with five children, Mary Werner, Gilmer, TX, Ronald Werner, Fargo, ND, Carol Werner, Denver, CO, James Werner, Spokane, WA, and Daniel (Cynthia) Werner, Bismarck, ND, ten grandchildren, Scott Hearn, Chico, TX, Kristi (John) Denson, Gilmer, TX, Logan (Chelsey) Kinney and James Kinney, Englewood, CO, Josh Werner, Woodland, CA, Lisa (Brian) Krasowski, North Bend, WA, Nick (Jennifer) Werner and Ashley Werner, Spokane, WA, Erin (Aaron) Reilly, Albuquerque, NM, and Sara (Ben) Kadlec, Boulder, CO. He is also survived by twelve great grandchildren.

He will be deeply missed by his family.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Rebecca Werner, a brother in infancy, his brother Edwin Werner and sister Mabel Owen. Roy was the last of the original Werner/Jeske families that homesteaded in Bloom Township in 1913.

Roy had a deep appreciation for the many business acquaintances in Jamestown who provided service to him throughout the years.

Visitation will be held at Eddy Funeral home from 3:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, April 21, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. His funeral will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 10:30 AM on Saturday, April 22.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Board of Trustees or Jamestown Regional Medical Center Hospice program.

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