Dustin Ceynar, 48, of Arnegard, North Dakota passed away on July 25, 2024, at Regions Hospital in Saint Paul, Minnesota with family at his side.

Dustin David Ceynar was born on March 20, 1976, in Williston, ND to David and Virginia (Hystad) Ceynar. Dustin was raised on the family farm, near Arnegard, ND where the values of faith, family, integrity, and hard work were instilled at an early age. Dustin graduated from Watford City High School in 1995. An enthusiasm for engines and mechanics led him to earning his AAS In Disel Mechanics from WyoTech, in Laramie Wyoming. Dustin spent a short time turning wrenches in Fargo and Bismarck, ND before returning home to become a fifth generation McKenzie County farmer and rancher.

On November 5, 2004, Dustin married his best friend, Sara (DeTienne) Egeberg, in Sidney, MT. Dustin’s greatest accomplishments quickly followed with the arrival of Clay Hystad, Jake Thomas, KayDee Rose, and the addition of bonus son, Nathan Lee Egeberg. Dustin shared his love of agriculture, the outdoors, and shooting sports with his children through his involvement in their 4-H, FFA, and shooting sports activities. Dustin realized his life’s dream of expanding his ranching operation and purchased the Birdhead Ranch in 2013. He dedicated his life to being one of the best examples of stewardship of the land and his cattle.

Dustin was instrumental in the startup of the McKenzie County 4-H shooting sports club, the Badlands Bullseyes, where he was a leader and archery coach for seven years. Having never shot archery competitively, Dustin poured his time and energy into learning how to restring bows, fletch arrows, and adjust draw weights. He was honored to coach Clay and Jake and their compound archery teammates at the 2022 National 4-H Shooting Sports competition in Grand Island, Nebraska.

A passion for shotguns and clay targets led Dustin to spending countless hours at the gun range with his family and friends. If he wasn’t shooting for that elusive 25 straight, he was coaching, mentoring, and building the confidence of the youth shooters. His leadership and coaching dedication have made a lasting impact on many of the Coyote Clay Target League athletes.

Dustin lived by the quote “There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet.” He wasn’t afraid to approach the guy standing in line next to him and strike a conversation up over a slogan on a shirt or a fancy silverbelly cowboy hat, and he never passed up the opportunity to shake the hand of an individual in a U.S. Veteran baseball cap.

Dustin was proud of the McKenzie County community and its strong agricultural and ranching history. He served his community, in various capacities, on the Farmers Union Oil Company, McKenzie County Fair, and McKenzie County Soil Conservation Board of Directors. Dustin was awarded the 2017 McKenzie County Soil Conservation award for his agricultural and conservation practices.

Dustin is survived by his wife, Sara, his children, Clay, Jake, and KayDee Ceynar, and Nathan (Sydney) Egeberg, his parents David and Virgina Ceynar; his sister Jennifer (Dr RJ) Moen and their children; Abbigayle and Joshua. He is also survived by his mother and father-in-law, Alan and Barb DeTienne; sister-in-law Amy Clark (Travis) and their sons, Kaden and Ryker; brother-in-law Kyle DeTienne and his daughters, Hadley, Harley, Rio, & River; grandparents-in-law, Delvine and Ardis DeTienne and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends who will forever cherish his memory.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Elery and Doris Hystad, paternal grandparents Arnold and Millie Jean Ceynar and special uncle, James Anderson.

Dustin will be remembered for his kindness, compassion, and unwavering love for his family. He leaves a legacy of strength and resilience that will continue to inspire all who know him.

Memorial Contribution