John Cicha

John M. Cicha, 21, Mandan, passed away Sept. 16, 2017, at his home in Mandan. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Mandan, with the Rev. Shane Campbell as celebrant. Burial will be at Mandan Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a parish vigil at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour before the service at the church.

John was a model of tolerance. He rarely complained and smiled through the many hospitalizations and procedures. He had such a fun presence, always ready for a joke and a laugh. He was patient with others and waited for them to make mistakes with his care so he could share a laugh. His favorite person was Mommy. They shared a special connection especially in the way they were able to communicate with looks and gestures. John wasn’t able to speak, but oh, how he communicated his intelligence through his beautiful eyes.

His twin brother, David, was everything to him, filling his life as friend, brother, and caregiver. John loved watching movies with family and friends as often as possible. He loved to go swimming with his family, but always wanted to be held by Dad in the pool. His sister Emily, was a kind presence, helping him communicate with others and always ready with a card for encouragement. John had such special relationships with so many teachers, doctors, nurses, and therapists. He encountered so many loving and kind people. He inspired many of them and he brought out the best in each of them.

John will be deeply missed by those he left behind, including his parents, Joseph and Karen Cicha; his brother, David Cicha; his sister, Emily Cicha; his grandparents, Kathryn and Richard Reimann; his aunts and uncles, Carla Hoskins, Denver, Richard (Dorothy) Reimann, Casper, Wyo., Stephen (Vexie) Reimann, Buffalo, Wyo., David (Beth) Cicha, Overland Park, Kan., Victoria (Thomas) Larson, Savage, Minn., Teresa (Glenn) Flaten, Queen Creek, Ariz., Bernadette (Phil) Efron, Annandale, Minn., Jerome (Cheryl) Cicha, Fargo, Julianne (Brian) Thompson, Park River, Rosemary (Mark) Veum, Fort Collins, Colo., Gregory (Rochelle) Cicha, Farley, Mo., Helen (Tim) Wilberding, Rosemount, Minn., and Michael (Terri) Cicha, Iowa City, Iowa.

John was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jerome and Gertrude Cicha.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Great American Bike Race.