John Peter Axtman Jr. the son of John P. Axtman Sr. and Caroline (Krim) Axtman was born on July 5^th, 1945 in Rugby, North Dakota.  He passed away at the age of 72 on Sunday March 11, 2018 in Rugby, North Dakota.

John spent most of his early youth on the family farm south of Rugby (Tuscarora Township). 

He graduated from Rugby High School in 1963 and went on to Minot Business College for a couple of years before entering into the Army.  His 2 year military service in the Army included spending one year in Vietnam in 1967.  John married his wife Linda (Vetsch) Axtman in 1970 and continued to raise his family of 2 sons Gary Axtman and Bob Axtman in Rugby.  John worked at the Pierce county courthouse for 32 years retiring in 2008.

John enjoyed playing cards and many would say had the gift of gab.  He always enjoyed the family gatherings for holidays – it was an opportunity to spend time with family and relatives … and you guessed it play cards and gab away telling a few jokes along the way, you get the picture.  

Other hobbies and pastimes included:  gardening, fishing (just being outdoors), stamp collecting, wood working, collecting old style toy tractors, listening to music and going to concert.  John would have the stereo playing louder than the boys ever dared to turn up the radio.  Cars, cars, cars – he loved his cars throughout the years. He was a member of the Little Flower Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and Rugby Eagles.

Unfortunately, in John’s later years he suffered from dementia which at least did not as much impact his memory as much as it impacted his motor skills and speech center – this really limited his active enjoyment of the outdoors and so on.  The last couple of years his condition in some regards improved where he became more talkative and active.  He greatly enjoyed his nephew’s wedding [Joe (Jessica) Axtman]  –  for those who were at Joe’s wedding reception,  you know what we mean – John seemed and acted like the “ole John” that most of us remember.  He truly enjoyed his last Christmas almost like a child enjoys Christmas, very spirited and excited.  It was a final priceless time where he had a chance to play cards with family and gab away.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Linda; two sons Bob Axtman of Arden Hills, MN and Gary Axtman of Castle Rock, CO; two sisters, Judy (Christ) Heintz of Rugby and Mary (Ted) Scherr of Fargo; 2 brothers Pius (Eileen) Axtman of Rugby and Mike (Kathy) Axtman of Rugby; other relatives and friends. 

John was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Rose Mary (Martin Sr.) Heintz.

Thank You to all for the warm thoughts, prayers, condolences, food, and gifts – truly appreciated beyond words.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Prairie Village Museum or the Little Flower Catholic Cemetery.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 17^th at Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby with spring burial in the church cemetery.  Father Tom Graner, Celebrant.

Visitation will be held on Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a rosary and vigil prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby.  Visitation will continue on Saturday at the funeral home from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.  There will be no reviewal in the church.