Eugene D. Weekes

Eugene Weekes, 92, Bismarck, died April 26, 2025. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, May 2, 2025, at United Church of Christ, 1200 E. Highland Acres Road, Bismarck, with Rev. Jim Moos officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow the service in the church gathering room. Burial will be held at Fair Hill Cemetery in Flasher, ND at 2:30 PM. Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Buehler-Larson Funeral Home in Mandan.

Eugene Dale Weekes was born February 11, 1933, in Bismarck. The son of Charles and Ethel Weekes, he grew up on a ranch 12 miles northwest of Flasher. He attended first and second grade in Almont and then attended Flasher school from third grade through high school, graduating in 1951.

On June 7, 1953, Eugene married his high school sweetheart, Eunice (Benson) Weekes. They lived on his parent’s ranch from 1953-1957, where Eugene continued to ranch with his father. In 1955, their son Perry was born and in June of 1957, they moved to Bismarck and welcomed their daughter Ronda in October of that year. After moving to Bismarck, Eugene sold insurance and worked for a painting company. Then in June of 1958, he was hired by the State Land Department in the Bonds and Mortgage Department where he worked for just shy of two years and then was appointed Deputy Land Commissioner for the State of North Dakota. In September 1964, Eugene resigned from the State and founded Mid-Western Real Estate and Mortgage Company where he specialized in farm and land real estate and began doing farm real estate appraisals as well.

Eugene served on the National Board for the Realtors Land Institute and was Regional Vice President of the Realtors Land Institute which included the state of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Iowa. During the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, he and Eunice did a lot of traveling both for work and enjoyment, which included many of the fifty states, as well as a family trip to Norway.

In 2010, Eugene and Perry closed down Mid-Western Real Estate and moved their licenses to Landmark Real Estate Services where Eugene continued to work until just shy of 90 years old. Besides real estate, Eugene has served in many areas in his life, some of which include being actively involved and a pillar in his church since its beginning in Bismarck. This included supporting the Charles Hall Youth Services which for over 50 years, served at-risk youth in North Dakota. He also served on the Child Evangelism Board, was involved in Young Life in Bismarck, and supported the Salvation Army. He was involved for many years with the Sons of Norway, Kiwanis Club, the Raleigh Rodeo Club, and was a trustee for the ND Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Eugene and Eunice enjoyed a cabin that they built on Crystal Springs Lake, a winter home in Arizona and he and Perry enjoyed owning a small place out near Flasher where they raised Quarter horses. He loved to go hunting in the fall, horseback riding, and driving down the country road looking over the land. He also enjoyed reading, writing, and has written several books including: Trails of our Ancestors, A Stroll Through Memory Lane (which is his life story), and some historical fiction stories.

Eugene has been a pillar in the community and a champion for North Dakota, North Dakota farmers, ranchers, and Native American communities. He has had love and pride for North Dakota, our Country, and our God, since his youth. He was a spiritually minded and prayerful person. He loved to laugh and tell jokes, and was ready with an encouraging word. He loved his family and many friends and was always excited about reaching out and meeting new people and helping people in whatever way he could. In the last years of his life, he enjoyed his home in Touchmark where he cherished his time with Annie and enjoyed the variety of entertainment and ways he could serve and give there. While living there, he was chosen, and honored with a “Living Legends” award. His final days were spent at St. Gabriel’s Community, where he continued to make a positive impact and was given great care.

Eugene is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Ethel Weekes; brother, Donald; sister-in-law, Mary; two infant brothers, Robert and Lyle; his wife, Eunice; her parents, Henry and Ruth Benson; her sister, Eileen, and brother-in-law, Dale Whitcomb.

Eugene leaves behind his son, Perry of Bismarck; his daughter, Ronda, and son-in-law, David Schmitt of Arizona; grandchildren, Shawn (Jen) Weekes of Mandan, Ava and her sister Chloe; great-grandchildren, Anika, Kaebry, and Tanner; sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Henry Meyer of Flasher; daughter-in-law, Cindy Weekes of Bismarck; his sweetheart, Annie Schwartz and her family; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many dear friends.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora.