Joseph W. “Joe” Belford, 84 of Devils Lake ND passed away on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital.
Visitation was held on Sunday, Nov. 27, at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake ND with a Rosary and Scripture Service. The Knights of Columbus led the Rosary and the 4th Degree Knights provided the Honor Guard. Mass of Christian Burial was Monday, Nov. 28, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial was in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.
Joseph William Belford was born on Sept. 16, 1938, in Bemidji, Minnesota, the first born of Raymond and Grace (Peterson) Belford. The Belford family were a part of the Lake Region area since pre-1900s. They were all hard working, educated people who loved Catholicism, America, their community and especially their family
Joe was raised on a farm in Morris Township where he attended Morris Township #2 School. Joe loved the farm. He had a pony, did hunting and fishing with his dad, drove the tractor and fed the farm animals. In 1948 the family moved to Devils Lake and Joe attended St. Mary’s Academy and graduated from Central High School in 1956. He continued his education, graduating from Lake Region Junior College in 1958.
Joe met and married his precious Mary Lou Gangl on July 6, 1961, at the Assumption of Mary Catholic Church in Starkweather, ND. They established their home in Devils Lake where they lived, worked, raised their family, and stayed faithful to each other in marriage, in good times and bad for over 61 years.
Joe began employment with Goulding’s Mobil and was employed there continuously, eventually serving as Vice President of the corporation. He was also the owner of Joe’s Auto Shine.
Joe was very involved in local and state government. He served on the Devils Lake City Commission in many capacities, was State President of the North Dakota League of Cities, Past President of the Ramsey County Commissioners, Chairman of the Lake Region Law Enforcement Board, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Bureau, Past President of the Devils Lake Airport Authority, member of the Senior Commission on Aging, former member of the Mercy Hospital Board of Directors, tirelessly giving of his time and talent to water issues of the Devils Lake Basin for years and spent 28 years with the Devils Lake Volunteer Fire Department. He was proud of the community and proud to serve and be a part of its growth and development.
Joe loved his Lord with his whole heart. He was very active in St. Joseph Church, as a Parish Council Member and Trustee. He was dedicated to the Knights of Columbus, was Grand Knight 3rd Degree and State Master 4th Degree of the Devils Lake Council and Assembly. He encouraged many young men of the Parish to become Knights.
Joe was a dedicated, loving, caring husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, and a loyal friend. As the oldest, he helped care for his mother after the death of his father, was always there as a big brother to his siblings and was so proud of his children and granddaughter. They were his pride and joy.
We remember that Joe belongs to his Lord. We will miss him and will treasure all those beautiful memories in our hearts forever.
Joe’s loving family include his wife Mary Lou; son Ray John (Lisa Webster) Belford, Devils Lake; daughter Marissa Jo (Brian) Michalenko, Minot ND; granddaughter Samantha (Casey) Metcalf, Fargo; sisters Judi (Lynn) Ratzlaff, Boise ID, Ranae (Larry) Holody, Fresno CA and Cindy (Rodger) Wetzel, Bismarck ND, brother-in-law and sisters-in-law Tim Bone, Fresno, Terri Belford, Devils Lake, Irene Krebsbach, Cando ND and Ann Hunt, Devils Lake; many nieces, nephews and their families.
He was preceded in death by his precious daughters Pamela Hodek and Karla Belford, parents, sister Debby Bone, brother Pat Belford and in-laws John and Mary Gangl
