Alex Ferderer

When asking grandpa what he would like us to say in his obituary, he said, “I lived and then I died.” He also said, “If you knew me you get it, and if you didn’t know me, it doesn’t really matter.” Those are some of the last famous words of Alex J. Ferderer, 94, who was called home peacefully on July 4, 2023, a man born in a much simpler time.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 AM on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mandan, ND with Rev. Josh Waltz as celebrant. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 7, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Alex was born at home in Price, ND, on August 31, 1928, to Alexander and Anna Ferderer. Alex was educated through the eighth grade and worked on the family farm. He married the love of his life, Emilie Flink, on October 21, 1954. When you mix love, laughter, prayer, and a pinch of “I am sorry” you get six kids added to an already happy home. Alex and Emilie raised crops and kids all while watching farming go from a team of horses to farm equipment fully loaded with GPS and G5 commanded display. Farming would always be his passion and he would continue helping David on the farm until the age of 90.

Alex and Emilie made lasting friendships while living on the farm, and those friendships continued when they traded the old truck for a trusty Subaru that Alex drove as he delivered rural mail for the New Salem Post Office. They later decided to move to Mandan where they lived a quiet retirement enjoying their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, gardening, playing a game of pinochle and enjoying the simple things in life.

Thank you for the love, wisdom, inspiration and laughter dad, grandpa, great-grandpa and friend. You were fiercely loved by so many.

Alex will be deeply missed by his wife, Emilie of Mandan; children, James of Mandan, David (Rachelle Roemmich) of Mandan, Greg (Sherry) of Bismarck, Geralyn Farstad of Mesa, AZ, Janet (Terry) Lahren of Mandan, and Carol (Roger) Svihl of Mandan; four grandchildren, Lyndse Wagner, Laci (Chad) Czeczok, Alex Lahren, and Eric (Michelle) Lahren; eleven great-grandchildren; three great great-granchildren; sister, Lillian Janzer of Mandan; sister-in-law, Marie Ferderer of Washington; and brother-in-law, Frank Flink of Bismarck.

Alex was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander and Anna Ferderer; five brothers; three sisters; an infant sister; and a great-granddaughter, Baylee Ferderer.