John J Haider

John Haider, 81, Bismarck, died April 11, 2007, at his home. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 14, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Mandan, with the Rev. Bill Rushford officiating. Burial will be in Mandan Union Cemetery with military rites provided by Amvets Post No. 9.

Visitation will be held from 3:30 to 9 p.m. Friday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

John was born Aug. 18, 1925, in St. Anthony, the son of Joseph and Anna (Leingang) Haider. He was raised and educated in St. Anthony. He entered the U.S. Army and was in the 309th Army Band. After he returned from the army, he played in various bands and then started the Johnny Haider Orchestra. He married Ottillia Privratsky Sept. 8, 1958, at St. Mary's, Bismarck. He continued working with his band and was self-employed.

John loved to travel and enjoyed working and being around people, especially the time spent with his grandchildren. His favorite past-times were gardening, tending his apple trees, playing cards and music. John had a warm laughter and a sense of humor. He had a joy of life, and had a special gift to never miss anyone's birthday.

He is survived by his wife, Ottillia; four sons, Gerald, Mark (Angela) and Brian (Nancy), all of Bismarck, and Gregory (Becky), Dunlap, Ill.; his daughter, Claudia (Todd) Jasper, Bismarck; his grandchildren, Tylone, Brandon, Shauntya and Bryaunna Jasper, and Mariah, Joshua and Destiny Haider; his brothers, Arnie (Angie), Galesburg, Ill., Hubert (Darlene) and Dennis (Darlene), all of Bismarck, and George, Mandan; and his sisters, Minnie (Victor) Schmidt and Lillian (Richard) Sturn, all of Bismarck.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Rosie Haider; his brother, Joseph; and his sister-in-law, Maggie Haider.