David Hlebechuk

David Hlebechuk formerly of Argusville ND, died Friday, November 9, in his home in Phoenix.

David was a deeply beloved father, brother, husband, uncle, father-in-law and friend. He passed away at his home in the early morning hours on November 9th leaving a huge void in the hearts of many.

He was the toughest cookie ever made so when we lost him, we knew he was ready to go, as he never did anything that he didn’t want to. Terri and Lori can especially attest to that.

David was born in Belfield, ND on July 10, 1934 to Jack and Mary Hlebechuk, Ukrainian parents who made him very proud of his heritage.

He graduated high school from Argusville, ND at the age of 16 and soon after joined the U.S. Marines. As a baby-faced jarhead he served on the Korean front and made life long bonds with his fellow soldiers. Upon his release from the military, he moved back to North Dakota and was celebrated by his family and friends for his bravery and courage.

In 1956 David married Janice Hickey from Belfield. The newlyweds moved to San Diego shortly after. Soon David became proud Papa to first daughter Terri, and was elated when another daughter, Lori, followed 18 months later.

In 1961 David took the family back to North Dakota and settled in West Fargo, living on David’s parents’ farm. Another daughter – Lisa – was born. One afternoon the farm house caught fire and burned to the ground, destroying all of their possessions, and almost taking little Lisa with it. We have Aunt Cece to thank for rescuing our Liza Jane from the blaze. Cece you are the best.

The family moved to Argusville and started over. This is where David built his first house. It was not a single person job, as he had three little helpers to hand him nails one at a time. Deanna, who we all knew was his last chance to have a boy - - was born in 1965.

All four Hlebechuk girls graduated from high school in Argusville and each went on to graduate from college, accomplishments of which he was very proud. As a father, he provided an upbringing filled with unconditional love, humor, laughter, adventure and a little bit of mischief.

Though David and Janice eventually parted, they remained mutually respected friends, proud of the roles each of them had in raising their mighty fine family.

During the years while he and Janice were raising the girls, he established a formidable reputation in the contracting community and was founder of Hlebechuk Construction. He started off as the only employee, and eventually had crews in the Fargo-Moorhead area, Western North Dakota/Montana and eventually Arizona.

David enjoyed the sunshine and the change of scenery that the desert in Arizona offered him. He had homes at one time in Scottsdale, Mesa, Sedona, and his favorite, Maricopa, where he tended to his garden and had wonderful group of neighbors.

At the age of 79, David was thrilled to marry June Nelson, the younger sister of his dear friend Lawrence Brauer. As fate would have it David and June courted in high school. After raising their respective families they reconnected and realized that it was never too late to fall in love. We are very grateful for the great love June gave him so gently and generously in the years they had together. June’s daughters in Nebraska - - Diane, Joan and Corinne - - as well as their extended family welcomed him wholeheartedly into their lives.

David was especially close with his brothers, Danny and Ted. They were the original Three Amigos. If you needed a joke, a helping hand, or even a loan you could count on one, or all three, to offer whatever they could. They loved the all-you-can-eat pizza at Shakeys, and enjoyed long lunches, loud stories and stacking up lots of empty plates. This became a regular date much to the chagrin of the manager, who eventually told them they were no longer welcome, as he was losing money because of their hearty appetites.

To say that he loved reading is an understatement. The family talked recently about trying to guess the number of books he read during his lifetime and no one could even take a stab at it, as it was not unusual for him to devour an entire book in a day. A favorite author of his was Robert Service, the bard of the Artic. He could recite many poems of his from memory including “The Cremation of Sam McGee” which was about an Alaskan prospector who welcomes his cremation as the only way to get warm in the frigid north.

Congressman John McCain stated shortly before he passed “The world is a fine place and worth fighting for and I hate very much to leave it.” This is the same sentiment that David had as well, and it is apt that a public hero, and our lesser-known hero, both were laid to rest in the same building.

David leaves behind his family including wife June Nelson, brother Ted Hlebechuk and his wife Joanne, sisters Cece Randall and Peggy Mallen, sister- in- law Anita, as well as numerous nieces and nephews; Daughters Terri Tang, Lori Sanders and husband Richard, Lisa Kimler and husband Brad, and Deanna and husband Robert Kosche.

Also left behind are his goofy grandchildren – Abby and Nick, Laura, Hannah, Jared, Miles, Tommy and Reuben. Memories of his big grin and life lessons he shared with them are the stuff of which family legends are made.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty Payne, brother Edward, brother Danny, nephew Steve, and brother-in-laws Gene Payne, Marvin Randall and Robert Mallen. We know they were all waiting for him at the Big Hayride in the Sky - - ready to share songs and stories of their past together.

Here’s to a man larger than life, who lived life on his own terms, who gave more than he took, and left an indelible mark on this beautiful world.

May God bless you and hold you safe until we are together again.

A celebration of his life will be held at 2pm, Wednesday, November 21st at A.L. Moore-Grimshaw located at 710 W. Bethany Home Road, Phoenix AZ 85013.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Farm Rescue at farmrescue.org.