Vince Bachmeier, 72, of Casselton, N.D. passed away peacefully Friday, April 13, 2012 at Rosewood on Broadway in Fargo, N.D. surrounded by family. He went to be with the lord after an inoperable cancerous brain tumor was discovered in February.

He was born Dec. 7, 1941, to Louie and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Bachmeier in Rugby, N.D. He grew up on the family farm and attended high school at the Willow City Academy where he graduated in 1959. He attended college at the Dakota Business College in Fargo.

Vince married Bea Fritel on May 25, 1963, and they first lived in Valley City, N.D. They moved to Casselton in 1966 and have resided there since. Vince worked 29 years in the banking industry, most of them at the First State Bank in Casselton. After that he worked as a realtor and in maintenance at St. Leo’s Church in Casselton.

Vince was instrumental in helping St. Leo’s start the Casselton recycling program and Dollars for Scholars. He served on the City Council, the Board of the Casselton Airport Authority, Casselton Historical Church, and Casselton Medical Board. He relieved the Casselton Community Service award in 2007 for his many years of service to the community.

He was an amazing person who helped everyone in need. He was a servant, always trying to treat others as if they were Christ. Words cannot express the great joy he received in spending time with his sons and their families. He loved working in his shop, crafting things out of wood, fishing, yardwork, reading a good book and supporting the community sports team.

Vince was preceded in death by his parents, sister Katie Brown (Al), and sister-in-law Fran.

Surviving Vince is his loving and devoted wife of 49 years Bea; children Brad (Mona), Roger (Melanie), Dale (Yojani), and Gary (Trisha); grandchildren Shalom, Ben, Adam, Rachel, Emily, David, Anna, Daniel, Matthew, Sarah, Sara, Madelyn, Katie and Joshua; siblings Nick (Mary Ann), John, Joe (Lillian), Clara (LeRoy) Fixen, Pete (Carol Engelbrit), and Bea (Marlin) Welk; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his in-laws, the Fritel family, to whom he was very close.

Special thanks to the excellent staff and nurses at Sanford Hospital, Sanford South Rehabilitation Center, and Rosewood on Broadway.

Memorials will be used to support the many local organizations with which Vince was involved.

A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, April 18, 2012, at noon in St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Casselton. Visitation will take place Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. the church. Interment will be at St. Leo’s Cemetery, Casselton.

Condolences may be sent online at westfuneralhome.com