Courtney Cihak

courtney cihak

Courtney Cihak entered his eternal life, September 24, 2010, from illness with cancer.

He was born and raised in Fargo and attended Shanley High School. Courtney worked as a maintenance Engineer at the New Prague Middle School in New Prague, MN.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time at the lake.

Courtney had found a passion for attending Rendezvous festivals where lifestyle and dress of traditional early and colonial America was reenacted. Nothing pleased him more than setting up camp at rendezvous, sitting by the campfire, shooting his muzzleloader and throwing hawk. He loved teaching kids about what it was like in the 18th century.

Courtney was a kind and gentle soul, who was never at a loss for words and always had time to tell a story. He was a devoted family man who always made time to spend with his devoted wife Barbara and his loving sons Dennis and Nick.

He spent his life enjoying the simpler things and respecting others. A gift that made him special.

He was a husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend, and will be dearly missed. Heaven will welcome him with open arms. God Bless

Courtney is survived by his wife, Barbara, Fargo, and sons, Dennis and Nick Cihak, Fargo,  parents, Adrian and Elaine Cihak, Fargo, and brother, Damian Cihak, Fargo.

Courtney was preceded in death by his brother, Keith.

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  1. Camdenton MODear Barbara & Family,

    I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I hope Courtney did not have to suffer. May you find comfort in wonderful memories.

    God bless.

    Phyllis

  2. My wife Vicki and I had only met Courtney a few years ago but we found him to be a kind and gentle soul. He brought a certain bright light to Rendezvous. Adieu Courtney, you will be missed by many.

  3. Mazeppa MN
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Courtney will be missed. We will always remember his positive attitude and his smile.

  4. Princeton MN
    Our deepest condolences to the Cihak family. We had the sincerest pleasure of knowing Courtney and Dennis from many “Rendezvous” events over the past few years. Indeed, a more friendly gentleman and devoted father you will never meet. A special prayer for you Dennis, your dad was one of a kind. -Ron and Kathy Lewis
    “Louie” and “Tante” and “Firecracker”

  5. Lonsdale MN
    Courtney was a wonderful, fun loving man. He had a great love for kids and this was very evident with his job at New Prague Middle School. He was always interacting with kids. Explaining to them about life 200 hundreds years ago. He would bring to school his rendezvous stuff and patiently explain each item.
    Courtney quick smile and wit will be missed.

  6. Fargo ND
    Dear Elaine and Adrian,

    I am so sorry about the loss of your dear son, Courtney. I am sure you will miss him terribly for a long time. I pray that God will bless you abundantly with peace nd comfort through this difficult time of grief and loss.

    Love and prayers, Sr. Del Rey

  7. New Prague MN
    To the Cihak Family-

    My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Courtney has been missed at the middle school and will forever remain in our thoughts. I knew I could count on him for a good chuckle after school when he would dutifully take care of my classroom and our building. What a great man to have known. May time heal the pain you are feeling, and peace settle in your heart.

  8. My dear firends,Adrian, Elaine, Barb, Nick and Dennis… “Nana Laine and Papa Adrian”. Our thoughts and prayers are with you always. I am sure that Keith was there to welcome Courtney to our Lords home. Please remember we are always a phone call away should you need anything. God Bless and keep you strong.

    The Dave Plante Family, Dave, Karla, Jayme and little Alexander.

  9. Fargo North Dakota
    Dear Elaine and Adrian,

    I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Courtney. I know you will miss him terribly for a long time. I pray that our God who loves him and loves you, will bless you now with an abundance of peace and comfort through this difficult time of grief and loss. My prayers and support will be with you always.

    God bess you now and always.

    Sister Del Rey Rudnick

  10. Kilkenny Minnesota
    Barb, Dennis and Nick,
    I was so sorry to hear of Courtney’s passing. I saw how he battled his cancer with such dignity and strength while he was working in the middle school. He always had a way with the special kids in New Prague Middle School, his kindness and compassion would always shine through.
    His winning smile and willingness to share a story or just to make a child smile was something that I looked forward to every day, He will be greatly missed!
    Thanks for sharing him with us!
    Christy Gibbs

  11. Barb,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you during this truly difficult time. Please know we are thinking of you here in New Prague.
    My God’s love comfort you.

  12. MINOT ND
    ADRIAN AND ELAINE
    OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME. MAY YOU FIND PEACE KNOWING THE LORD WILL OPEN THE GATES OF PARADISE TO HIM. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.

  13. New Prague MN
    Barb and Family,

    I was saddened to hear the news of Courtney’s passing. You all suffered so much during his illness, but now you can remember the good days with him and celebrate his life and the experiences you shared together. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you.

  14. New Prague MN
    Dear Barb and family,

    Courtney was always willing to help with whatever he could when he was the custodian at the middle school. He also put a positive spin on any situation. I was saddened to learn of his passing. Please know that Courtney and all of you are in my thoughts and prayers

  15. New Prague Minnesota
    Barb, Nick, and Dennis, While I didn’t know Courtney personally, I certainly knew of the love that each of you had for him. He was a lucky man to have a family who cared for him so much. I remember talking to you, Barb, many times about the devotion the two of you had to each other. He is at peace now, and I know that thought will give each of you peace and comfort in the days to come. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

  16. I enjoyed listening to Courtney’s stories and seeing pictures from all the Rendezvous he attended. The students at NPMS were lucky to have Courtney share his artifacts with them.

  17. dayton mnCourtney, to me, was a kind soul. A man that that gave of himself without question.
    Through grade school,high school and even up to 1986(when i last talk with Courtney right before i moved away from fargo) he was always a beacon of goodness and light in the world and i will miss him.

  18. Webster Minnesota
    Courtney was a very special person. I work at Central Services and Operations that he had cleaned for. He was always very happy and kind. He will be missed.

  19. New Prague MN
    Dear Barb,
    We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Courtney. He was such a dear man and so much fun to talk to. You are right he always had a story to tell and I loved listening to him. The kids at school will deeply miss him.You are in our thoughts and prayers.
    Jim, Jayme & Roxanne Prokes

  20. Moorhead MN
    My wife Lori and I wish to give our condolence to Barb and family during this difficult time. Even though we lost contact with Courtney and Barb, we often think of the days we spent with old friends. And the fun we had working at the Forum mailroom.

    Jay Fearing

  21. New Prague MN
    Barb, My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Courtney was a wonderful man. Always cheerful and willing to help no matter what. I am truly sorry to hear that we have lost such a wonder soul here on earth.

  22. New Prague MN
    Barb, Dennis and Nick,
    I’m so sorry to hear about Courtney’s passing. I was always so amazed at his positive outlook on life as he was going through his cancer. He was determined to live his life to the fullest and enjoy every precious moment with you, his family! He was always such an upbeat person and I enjoyed getting to know him at NPMS!

    My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you go through this difficult time!

    Sincerely,
    Julie Holgate

  23. New Prague MN
    My students were blessed to have Courtney teach them about rendezvous. I will treasure my memories of all of the wonderful stories that he shared with my students and how he let them “experience” what is was like to rendezvous by dressing them up and letting them see and handle all of his wonderful artifacts. Cortney will be missed here at New Prague Middle School.

  24. New Prague Very sad to hear the news of Courtney’s passing. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time.

    Courtney was a great employee, and also a friend to many of us here at New Prague Schools.

    He will be missed.

  25. New Prague MN
    Barb and family,

    I was sorry to hear about your loss. Although I never met Courtney, he sounds like a great man. When Dennis was in my class he shared of the Rendezous he had attended with Courtney. You’ll be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Greg Tikalsky

  26. Moorhead MN
    Dear family,

    I worked for Courtney at the Forum, he was great to work for and the humor certainly helped on nights when the papers were behind.

    So sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you!

    Craig & Linda Davidson

  27. Decatur GADear Barb,
    I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Courtney. I have thought about you so often these past many years. I remember seeing and talking with you at Shanley’s 10th Reunion, way back in 1988. I hope you remember me. I won’t ever forget you and your kind, gentle spirit. You taught me a lot during the time we worked together with Butch at ND
    SU.

    You and your sons are in our prayers, as is your entire family. May you feel the comfort of God’s love especially during this difficult time. Feel free to contact me if you wish.

    Peace,
    Mary Ann

  28. Enderlin Thinking of you and your boys at this difficult time in your lives, wish I could be there to give you a big hug! You are a great friend.

  29. Macungie PAI knew Courtney at Shanley and am sad to hear of his untimely passing. I can remember many conversations with him and in every case, the picture that sticks in my mind is him smiling and laughing. Deepest condolences to his family.

  30. Stone Mountain, Georgia My deepest sympathy goes to the Cihaks. I have fond memories growing up with Courtney at St. Mary’s for 8 years and at Shanley for 4. I will be saying some prayers and reminiscing about my childhood tonight with thoughts of Courtney.

  31. I was in Courtney’s class at Shanley. I always enjoyed conversations with Courtney back then. It is good to hear that his gift of conversation continued. I wish I had the opportunity to hear more in the years that followed graduation.

    I am very sorry to hear of Courtney’s death.

    Gary Fischer
    Onalaska, WI

  32. Litchfield Park AzMy deepest sympathies to all of you. Adrian,Elaine, Damien and of course Barb, Dennis & Nick. Your sense of loss must be overwhelming. My entire childhood is filled with nothing but memories of Courtney. In many ways Coutney was like a brother. I’m sure i spent more time with Courtney then my own family…you guys were like a second family to me. I learned to fish and water-ski because of Courtney. I remember biking with Courtney down to the old Sky-Light drive Inn to buy fireworks…blowing off fireworks with him and bottle-rocket wars. Swimming at Harry-Holland pool…eating pizza together at Shakey’s. Building snow forts. His zeal for duck and deer hunting. I know that he is in a better place and no longer endures the constant pain from his fight with cancer. Both Courtney and you will be in my thoughts and my prayers go out to all of you at this time of loss.

  33. Even though I haven’t talked to Courtney for a few years, I thought of him often, remembering the fun times we had. He will be deeply missed.

  34. Fargo, ND
    Dear Elaine, Adrian and families:
    My deepest sympathy to you all….I was so shocked seeing the paper and the death of your son….I remember him growing up in the neighborhood…so sad for your loss..I look out my window and have seen alot of people at your place..you have had alot of saddness but remember we all care for you and offer our prayers of HOPE and God is watching over you….love and prayers to you all…Your neighbor Dorothy Heidt


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