Neil I. MacFarlane
November 21, 1924 ~ March 23, 2023
Born in:
Hillsboro, North Dakota
Resided in:
Mayville, North Dakota
Neil, age 98, died peacefully on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the Luther Memorial Home in Mayville, ND.
Neil was born on November 24, 1924, in Hillsboro, ND, the son of Neil Sr. and Nellie (Fugate) MacFarlane. The family moved to the original homestead in Grandin in 1925. Neil graduated from Grandin High School and served in the United States Army, stationed in the Philippines and Japan during WWII. Upon his return, he finished his college degree in Agriculture at NDSU. Neil and his brother, Roland, started a farm/dairy which ran until 1981. He then worked at Agway in Grandin as a warehouseman.
In April of 1981, Neil was united in marriage to Joyce McCartney of Casselton, ND, where they lived until her death in the early 2000’s. He worked for many years for Lockhart Farms of Grandin. During that time he moved to the Arthur Assisted Living, the Hillsboro Sanford Care Center, and in 2020, he came to Luther Memorial Home in Mayville.
Wherever he worked or lived, he was always able to make friends and belong to community groups such as the Presbyterian Church and the VFW Color Guard. He and Joyce were energetic dancers and were quite social. During his long life, he was the greatest example of kindness and courtesy, hard-work and decency. He inspired those around him to respond as he treated them – the definition of a good man.
Neil was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Joyce; his brother, Roland; his sisters – Winifred and Barbara MacFarlane Adsero; and his special friend, JoAnne Erdmann.
Neil is survived by his two step-sons, Michael McCartney of Wahpeton, ND; and Bruce McCartney of West Fargo, ND; and their sister, Sandy McCartney; several step-grandchildren; his cousin, Douglas MacFarlane and family from Missouri; and his life-long friend and guardian, R. Donald Lockhart and family.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 2 PM Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at the Grandin Presbyterian Church in Grandin, ND – with visitation one hour prior
BURIAL: Grandin Cemetery, near Grandin, ND (at a later date)
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Wildeman-Boulger Funeral Home in Hillsboro, ND. To sign the online guest book, please visit our website at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Services
Visitation - Tuesday: April 11, 2023 1:00 pm
Grandin Presbyterian Church, Grandin
401 Brown Ave
Grandin, ND 58038
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He was so kind to me as a kid and made me feel like I was someone special! He will be missed.
Neil was a fine man. Loyal and honest without a fault. He loved Masonry and lived out its tenants. His Joyce was a bright light in his life as were Don Lockhart and his family. I feel lucky to have known him.
Neil was such a kind person…always a hello and a great smile!! RIP, Neil and enjoy your time reuniting with bothe Joyce and Joann…enjoy the dance!!!!
Watching my mother Joyce and Neil enjoy their nearly 25 years together was special, and I am grateful that the Lockhart family not only participated in a lifetime friendship with him and his siblings, but also the trade of continuing support for stewardship of the McFarlane lands.
Neal’s legacy will live on in the countless lives that he touched throughout his lifetime. His family, friends, and community will forever remember him as a kind and caring individual who made a positive impact on the world around him.
Rest in peace, Neal. Your memory will be cherished forever.
I remember Neil fondly as a lodge brother. He was such a kind and quiet man.
Since WW II Neil and the MacFarlane family have been the best of neighbors and friends. It was a privilege to have him in my/our lives. He will always be remembered with great affection. Don Lockhart and family
Our time with Neil was short but a true blessing as he became the Macfarlane leader of our family. My father ,John O. MacFarlane ,spoke of Neil in the kindest terms and always enjoyed driving from Kansas City to Grandin. He would drive 700 miles to see his cousins and the family homestead. Neil came twice to my mothers birthday party, 80 & 90 ,even though the journey was most difficult for him. He was a Great American and the country was lucky to have him. The MacFarlanes are forever thankful to The Lockharts for their friendship and care of the MacFarlane Family.
Douglas and Mona NacFarlane
I so enjoyed getting to know Neil while he was at the Sanford Care Center. He always had a smile and a story to share. Such a kind man.