Simon Piatz, 88, of Napoleon, ND, passed away September 9, 2024 at his home of natural causes. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Napoleon. Visitation will be held Friday, September 13, 2024 from 5:00 -7:00 PM with a rosary/vigil service at 7:00 PM at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church. Burial will be held at St. Philip Neri Cemetery.

Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure… you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. ~ Renae Wood

Sam was born September 15, 1935 to Anton A. and Frances (Bitz) Piatz on the family homestead in rural Logan County south of Napoleon. Sam attended country school and graduated from Napoleon High School in 1953. After graduation, Sam enlisted in the US Navy for two years and received an honorable discharge. His enlistment gave him many opportunities to travel including Hawaii, Japan, and California. After his Navy discharge, Sam held various jobs including being a farmhand with Pius Reis and Alvin Wald, and with his uncle Tony Bitz at the Super Service Garage in Napoleon and Clemens Gross Well Repair and Drilling.

Sam met the love of his life Ann (Margie) Wald while attending a softball game. After two years of dating, they were joined in marriage on June 12, 1961 at St. John's Catholic Church, rural Zeeland. After marriage they farmed in Venturia with Ann's parents Markus and Katherine Wald for two years, where their first two daughters were born.

In the fall of 1965 when Sam's parents retired, Sam and Ann purchased the Piatz family farm. Sam and Ann began their dairy operation and in1968 they built their new dairy barn with new modern amenities. Sam had enormous pride in his dairy, grain and beef cattle operation. Sam worked hard milking cows from sunrise and continued until sundown, sowing the fruits of his labor. His grain fields were a great source of pride for him and he is now farming the fields of heaven. Once his children were old enough to milk, Sam's love of fieldwork became his main passion. His lunch break usually included a trip to the Napoleon Café where he always truly enjoyed a bottomless cup of coffee with all of his local coffee buddies.

Sam was a loving, devoted husband to Ann and an amazing father to his children. Sam led by example, instilling a strong faith, a hard work ethic and a strong desire to help others, in his children. You could be late for supper, but you better never be late for milking cows!!

Sam's health forced him into retirement in 2011 and at that time, his sons Tim and Nick took over the family farm operations. Sam served on the Cenex Board, the Dairy Farmer's of America Board, was a member of the Napoleon American Legion and was on the building Committee for the American Legion Hall. He also served on the church board of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. His off the farm activities included bowling on the Napoleon City League, playing pinochle with his parents and siblings at holiday family gatherings, watching western movies and baseball/softball (he was a proud sponsor of the Napoleon Quintet Softball Team for many years (the team consisted of many of his nephews) and driving and tinkering with his antique vehicles- the Hudson and Edsel cars, the Studebaker pickup , the Dodge Rampage and the Oliver 88 tractor.

Sam loved to visit with everyone and made friends wherever he went, including the local sales barn, the Cenex & Locals Gas Station/Convenience Stores, the Wentz Cafe and the Napoleon Bowling Alley. He truly valued every friendship he made throughout the years!

Sam is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Ann (Margie) Piatz; daughters, Corinne Piatz, Natalie (Dennis) Kraft, Wanda (Bob) Serr and Samantha (Ray) Wetzel; sons, Cary (Shawna) Piatz and Nick Piatz; grandchildren, Amanda (Clifton), Carly (Matt), Cami (Zack), Cassidy (Dan), Bailey, Frankie Ann, Colton, Kendon, Braxton, D'Mias, Demi Jo, Harley and Taylor; great grandchildren, Easton, Emilia, Gavin, CeeJay and JayCee; siblings, Andy, Wendelin (Darlene) and Ben Piatz; sisters and brothers-in-law, Millie Wald, Joe and Donna Feist, Rose Wald, Val Wald and Theresa Bates; and his godchildren, Francis Piatz, Betty Thune and Paul Feist.

He was preceded in death by his son Timothy, who died May 26, 2024; his parents, Anton and Frances Piatz; siblings, Tony (Agatha) Piatz, Paul (Alvina) Piatz, Julius Piatz, Larry Piatz, Theresia (Tony) Schumacher, Maggie (Val) Hilzendeger, Alvina (Earl) Blewett, Alice (Stanley) Doll, Matt Piatz and Caroline Piatz; sister-in-law, Marion Piatz; father and mother-in-law, Markus and Katherine Wald; and in-laws, Adam and Elsie Gross, Alvin Wald, Bill Wald, Jim Wald, Joe and Mary Ann Gross and Wayne Bates.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the Napoleon Ambulance or the St. Philip Neri Cemetery.

Livestream of Funeral Mass: https://www.youtube.com/@st.philipnerinapoleon