Meloyd "Bud" Mootz

Meloyd “Bud” Mahlin Mootz, a devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away on December 22, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Bud was a man of genuine warmth whose life was defined by his love for people, his joy in socializing, and his deep commitment to family. His compassionate spirit and kindness touched the lives of all who knew him.

Bud was born on April 7, 1934, in Michigan, North Dakota, to Clarence and Minnie (Moe) Mootz. The third of eleven children, he grew up in Devils Lake, where he attended Washington Elementary and Devils Lake Central High School.

In 1953, Bud met and married the love of his life, Kay Reynen. Together they built a life grounded in love, hard work, and steadfast partnership. Bud was a true partner to Kay in all that they did. They made their first home in Devils Lake, where they welcomed three daughters: Doreen, Cindy, and Sharee.

Bud and Kay later moved ten miles northeast of Devils Lake, where they raised over 3,000 chickens and calves, embracing the challenges and rewards of rural life. The family then relocated to Jamestown, North Dakota where Bud purchased and operated a tire business.

Their entrepreneurial spirit continued when they moved to Stanton, North Dakota, where they purchased and operated Mootz’s Motel. In addition, Bud and Kay owned and operated a trailer park with trailer sales, as well as a furniture and carpet store. They worked side by side, building successful businesses through hard work, dedication, and teamwork.

In 1970, the family moved to Rugby, North Dakota and in 1976, Bud and Kay returned to Devils Lake, where Bud eventually retired from Firestone in 1989. In 2011, they moved to Bismarck, North Dakota to be closer to family.

Bud had a true gift for storytelling and humor. He loved nothing more than sitting with family and friends, sharing stories from his life and telling jokes that brought laughter to the room. He also had a deep love for music and dancing, and he never missed an opportunity to enjoy a good song, play the harmonica, and take a turn on the dance floor. His stories, laughter, and love of music created lasting memories and brought people together, reflecting the warmth and joy he carried throughout his life.

Above all, Bud cherished his role as a husband, father, and grandfather. He took great pride in watching his grandchildren grow into adulthood and begin families of their own, and he found renewed joy with the arrival of each great-grandchild. Family meant everything to Bud, and he loved deeply and without hesitation.

Bud will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved him. While words cannot fully express the impact he had on his family and friends, his legacy of love, compassion, and hard work will live on through the many lives he touched.

Bud is survived by his three daughters, Doreen Fournier of Dallas, Oregon, Cindy (Mike) Kuntz of Washburn, North Dakota, and Sharee (Vern) Jacobson of Bottineau, North Dakota; seven grandchildren, Nichole (Joel) Brice, Kelly (Travis) Hagen, Tracy (Derrick) Hohbein, Amy (Brandon) Nehring, Nadia Anderson, Lyndsey Miller, and Kirsten (Sergio) Guarin; three step-grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Mavis (Jerry) Janzen of Devils Lake, and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

He was preceded in death by his wife Kay, parents Clarence W. Mootz and Minnie Moe Mootz; his sisters, Judy Stewart, Joan Janzen, Betty Pfeifer, Cheryl Jones, Janice Bertsch, and Irene Eng; and his brothers, Arlen Mootz, Douglas Mootz, and Michael Mootz.