Marie "Jean" Antil

Marie Jean Antil, 91, passed away on February 8, 2025, at Elm Crest Manor in New Salem, ND. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 21, 2025, at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Bismarck, ND. Burial will follow at 1:00 PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND. 

Visitation will be held Thursday, February 20, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Bismarck Funeral Home, with a Rosary and Vigil Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Friday. 

Marie "Jean" was born on April 13, 1933, to George and Albina "Bea'" (Vandal) Kern, in Rolla, ND. Jean grew up in Cando, ND. She graduated from St. Mary's Academy in Devils Lake, ND in 1952. She attended nursing school at Mercy Hospital in Valley City, ND, graduating in 1955. On May 12, 1956, she married Francis “Frank” Albert Antil in Cando, ND. They resided in Valley City for three years before relocating to Bismarck, ND, in 1959. Jean dedicated nearly four decades of her life as a registered nurse at St. Alexius Medical Center, serving the community until her retirement in 1998.

Family was the cornerstone of Jean’s life; she cherished Sunday dinners with her parents and enjoyed playing pinochle with them. She carried this tradition of playing cards and board games onto her family. Her home was a gathering place filled with warmth, laughter, and delicious aromas from the kitchen. Notably, she made 100 pies each year from the apples harvested from their beloved apple trees. Jean was renowned for her fresh homemade buns and carmel rolls, as well as carrying on the Vandal family heirloom of making pear bread that took weeks to prepare before the final baking. 

An avid gardener, Jean found joy in cultivating beautiful flowers and maintaining her yard, spending countless hours outside tending to her flowers, garden and plants. She would grow fresh produce so she could can for the winter months. She also had a passion for sewing, creating lovely dresses for her daughters, and in retirement, she devoted her time to quilting beautiful quilts for family and friends. Jean was a charter member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, where she spent many hours quilting as well.

Jean's adventurous spirit was shared through numerous family trips, including camping in Garrison and summer ventures to Medora. She also treasured her time with in-laws during visits to Minnesota. As a nurturing and devoted mother, she actively supported her children’s sporting events, always in the stands cheering them on.

Jean's home was a welcoming place for animals, as she embraced many pets throughout her life, including fish, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, turtles, cats, and a dog named “Ginger” whom she could not say no to, as Dave brought her home, but she was the first and the last. When Becky grew up and moved away with her own dog, mom was always available for dog sitting, but Codi couldn’t stay too long as we know how hard dogs can be on the lawn.

She leaves behind her sons, Dean (Sue) Antil of Bismarck, ND and David (Cindy) Antil of Monument, CO; her daughters, Linda (Jeff) Settelmeyer of Gillette, WY, Debbie (Jeff) Wegner of Jamestown, ND, Mary Antil of Bismarck, ND, and Becky (the late Brian) Svangstu and special friend, Mike Dockter of Minot, ND; 11 grandchildren: Chris Wegner, Ryan (Janeen) Antil, Kevin (Patti) Antil, Rob (Nikki) Wegner, Susan Antil, Tyler (Christy) Antil, Joshua Settelmeyer, Jonathan (fiancée, Jessie) Settelmeyer, Jeremy (Brooke) Settelmeyer, Breanna (fiancé, Kutter Moum) Svangstu, and Benjamin Svangstu; and six great-grandchildren: Gianna, David, Cadence, Wyatt, Tenly, and Leo.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 54 years, Frank; two brothers, William Kern and Harold Kern.

She lived a life characterized by love, family, and service, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished by all who knew her.

Jean's family would like to thank St. Gabriel's Benedictine Living Community and Elm Crest Manor for their care and support.

Memorials may be directed to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan at https://www.ndvcf.org/donate or to the Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter Alzheimer's Association at https://www.alz.org/mnnd