Riley Pilipanko

Riley Pilipanko, 68, of Hatton, ND, died Friday, November 30, 2012 at his home in home. Riley was born on December 16, 1943 near Butte, North Dakota, the son of Mike and Lena (Eisenrich) Pilipanko. After his schooling, he entered the US Navy and was Honorably Discharged on January 5, 1962. He married Carol F. Kizima on May 24, 1975 in Minot, North Dakota. The couple made their home in Minot and in 1983 moved to Benedict, North Dakota. They moved to Northwood, North Dakota in 1986. Riley started working at the Uglem-Ness Company as a diesel mechanic and has continued for the past twenty six years. Riley moved into Hatton in 2007 after the tornado that hit Northwood and he has resided there since. Riley was known as a wonderful, caring man who would help anyone out. He loved going hunting and fishing. Riley enjoyed watching the modified truck and tractor pulls every year in Mountain, North Dakota. He was an excellent mechanic, and if you were just fixing something in your yard, he was out there giving a hand. He was known by the neighborhood as Hardware Riley’s because more than likely he would have that little piece of whatever you broke or had lost. He is survived by his daughter: Nicole Haahr of Florence, Arizona; two sons: Jason Pilipanko of Phoenix, Arizona and Brian Pilipanko of Clearlake Oaks, California; three grandchildren: Shaiann Pilipanko, Julia Haahr and Blaine Melfald; and three brothers: Eugene, Rollie and Dale Pilipanko. Riley is preceded in death by his parents and son-in-law: Bob Haahr. There will be a public visitation at the Hatton Community Center on Saturday, December 15, 2012 from 1 to 4 PM for family and friends to honor Riley’s life. Family and friends can sign his guestbook at www.bakerfuneral.com