Dustin Jeffrey Bietz

Dustin Jeffrey Bietz, 31, passed away from complications of a stem cell transplant in Billings, Mont., on Monday, Dec. 2, 2013. He was surrounded by many people who loved him and in the arms of his loving wife and son.

He was born on March 30, 1982, in Bismarck, N.D., to Jeff and Kathy (Wold) Bietz. He grew up in Beulah, N.D., where he was involved in many sports including basketball, baseball, softball, football and golf. He was very competitive.

He had numerous friends growing up and was always doing something spontaneous. He had a free spirit and loved everyone. His carefree, positive attitude wore off on anyone around him.

He also enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family; especially his dad. They took a trip to the Bietz family farm to hunt the opening weekend in November every year. Another favorite pastime was going to McClusky with his cousin, Mitch, and Uncle Pat. He enjoyed going to the lake and hanging out with friends whenever possible.

He graduated from Beulah High School in 2000 and decided to further his education at Minot State University. There he played college golf and graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer management systems and an associate degree in business management.

He worked for Wells Fargo before landing his dream job with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad as a conductor.

In 2006 he met the love of his life, Samantha Koski, and they were married on Sept. 10, 2011.

He was the strongest, most loving person who never gave up. Even being diagnosed with leukemia couldn't bring him down. Through the hardest times in his life, he still showed strength, compassion, optimism, humor, love and loyalty. He was given a battle that no one should ever have to fight, but he fought with pure determination to win.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Arlee and Diane (Romer) Wold, and an uncle, Mike Wold.

Survivors include his wife, Samantha (Koski) Bietz; a 4-year-old son, Tayven Jeffrey, and a 1-year-old daughter, Oakleigh Faye, all of Glasgow; his parents, Jeff and Kathy (Wold) Bietz, of Beulah, N.D.; a mother-in-law, Florann Hannesson; a father-in-law, Paul and Lisa Koski, all of Glasgow; two sisters, Lindsey Stoelting and her husband, Justin, of Fargo, N.D., and Jess Allen and her husband, Simon, of Phoenix, Ariz.; sisters-in-law, Deniel Campbell and her husband, Ryan, of Laurel; Jordan Koski of Glasgow, Dillon Koski of Havre, Kyler Koski of Columbia Falls, and Connor Koski of Glasgow; nieces and nephews, Mason Stoelting, Sam Allen, Claire Allen, Keagan Campbell, Kaspen Campbell and Christian and Jessica Hannesson of Billings; grandparents, Marvin and Alice Bietz of Jamestown, N.D.; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and life-long friends.

He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting such an amazing person. Gone too soon, never forgotten.

Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 9, at 11 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Glasgow.