Sam Nitschke

Sam Nitschke, 89, Jud, died Saturday, June 18, 2005 at Central Dakota Village, Jamestown.

Sam Nitschke was born May 20, 1916 on the family farm 1/4 mile south of Jud, ND to John and Margaret (Hummel) Nitschke. Sam graduated from Jud High School in 1936. He joined the CCC in 1937 and held several different jobs and was discharged as Mess Sergeant two years later. He then went to Dayton, OR., and worked for Denny McDougal in a fruit market for two years. In 1941, he joined the ND National Guard 164 Infantry. They were the first unit to see combat at Guadalcanal. Sam was wounded in combat Nov. 27, 1942 and was sent to a New Zealand Hospital. He recuperated in several hospitals Caldenia, Australia, and the Fiji Islands. He was discharged in Sept. of 1943 from McClesky General Hospital, Temple, Texas. He earned the American Defense Ribbon, Purple Heart and the Presidential Citation. He joined the LaMoure VFW 3364 of which he served as Commander for three terms. He was also active on the LaMoure County draft board for five years. He was a member of the volunteer Jud Fire Department, Jud Area Betterment Board, Jud Lions, Jud Supermarket and the American Legion Post of Alfred, ND. He also served on the Bluebird Township for thirty-five years, Jud UCC Board for twenty-eight years and the cemetery board. In 1957, Sam married Annetta Presler where they farmed for thirty-nine years on the family farm just south of Jud. In later years, Sam and Annetta enjoyed traveling the U.S. and meeting new people until the death of Annetta in June 1996. Sam continued to be active in the community and church until December of 1996 when he entered the Gackle Care Center. He resided there until fall of 1997 when he entered Central Dakota Village in Jamestown, ND. A few of Sam's favorite past times were talking with people, co-driving a vehicle with George Nitschke, spending time with family and friends, enjoying the grandchildren and a love for music, especially fund raising for the Lion's club by putting on talent shows. He is survived by two sons, Blane (Sherry), Jud, Blake (Hope), Jud; two daughters, Dawn (Bryce) Toay, Jud, Dulcie (Tim) Hoff, Moorhead, MN; eight grandchildren; three sisters, Clara Nitschke, Jamestown, Ella (Floyd) Pfaff, Jud and Ruth Mettler, Ellensburg, WA. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, three brothers and one sister.

Funeral services: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at 11:00 AM at Trinity United Church of Christ, Jud with Pastor Barbara Murray, officiating.

Visitation: Monday, June 20 from 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM with a prayer service at 7:30 PM at Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown.

Burial: Jud United Church of Christ Cemetery