August A. Axtman, 86, of Maddock, ND, passed away at the St. Aloisius Medical Center in Harvey, ND on Friday, August 4, 2017. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, August 7, 2017 at the St. Williams Catholic Church in Maddock, ND with Fr. Brian Bachmeier celebrating the mass. Visitation will be held Sunday, August 6, 2017 at the St. Williams Catholic Church from 5:00PM to 7:00PM with a 7:00PM Vigil Service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Burial will take place at the St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery in Selz, ND. Music will be provided by June Prom and Rosalie Axtman.

August A. Axtman was born September 11, 1930 to August E. and Barbara (Leboldus) Axtman in Selz, ND. He went to a country school through the eighth grade then continued his education at the Abbey in Richardton, ND, graduating in 1950. Gus married Helen Keller on June 18, 1951 at the St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Selz, ND. Gus had several occupations before he went to work at Dahl Miller Ford in Harvey, ND as a parts man. In 1958 Gus moved the family to Glasgow, MT and worked for Hansen Merson Motors as a parts and shop foreman. In 1985 they moved again and opened Gus' Auto Supply NAPA Store in Maddock, ND. They ran the store 10 years before retiring.

Gus' hobbies included playing trumpet in several dance bands in Esmond, Selz and Harvey, ND in his earlier years. He loved to listen and dance to polka music. After retiring, he took up scroll sawing.

Gus is survived by his wife of 66 years, Helen; children, Clarence Axtman of CA, Pat (Glenn) Bissonnette of OK, Geri (Mike) Ruggles of MT, Gus (Kita) Axtman Jr. of MT, Bonnie (Daryl) Storle of CA, Matt (Kathy Maxwell) Axtman of MN, Julie (John) Brewer of CO and Carol (Daryl) Keys of MT; 11 grandchildren, Adam Prewett, Melissa Oberquell, Jessie Cochran, Ryan Axtman, Sonya Mahlum, Kyle Axtman, Jena Storle, Brittany Storle, Lisa Axtman, Jordan Keys and Faith Keys ; 8 great grandchildren, Tayte Prewett, Tomi Prewett, Shandon Oberquell, Alex Cochran, Kane Mahlum, Maddax Mahlum, Lincoln Axtman and Henry Axtman; siblings, Lillian Keller, Barbara Stredwick, and Charles (Marlene) Axtman; sister-in-laws, Anne Axtman, Allie Axtman; brother-in-law, Lyle Westbrook.

He was preceded in death by his parents, August E. and Barbara; siblings, Leonard Axtman, Andrew Axtman, Christine Thomas, Mary Ann Carrejo, James Axtman, Wayne Axtman and Kathleen Westbrook.