Hidden Stories Among Us

In the heart of Linton, there’s a place where the smell of fresh donuts still greets you in the morning and recipes have been passed down for generations. Model Bakery isn’t just a business, it’s a story of family, hard work, and small-town pride. And for 50 years, Mary and Duane Tschosik have kept that story alive.

Family Ownership Begins with a Blast

Lloyd Roberts built Model Bakery on Linton’s Broadway Street back in 1954. It was named Model Bake Shop at that time, and he operated it for six years until he took a job in Bismarck. The business found its way into the hands of Duane’s uncle, Max Tschosik, thanks to a moment that’s still talked about today.

“One morning, Max came in early, smelled gas, and realized the pilot light on the oven was out,” Mary recalls. “He lit a match, and there was a big explosion.” The blast shattered the bakery’s front windows and sent glass across the street. Miraculously, Max wasn’t hurt. But when Roberts got the call, his response was simple: if you blew it up, you buy it. And just like that, the bakery became a Tschosik-owned business.

Duane and Mary Tschosik purchased Model Bakery in 1975.

Raising Kids… and Dough… In A Small-Town Bakery

Max ran the bakery for 16 years while farming on the side. The bakery has become a staple in the town, but as the years passed, his love for farming grew. It was time to give up the bakery, but he wanted to keep it in the family. It was 1975, and Mary and Duane were a young, married couple living and working in Bismarck. They both grew up in Linton, so when Duane’s Uncle Max asked if he’d like to come home and purchase the business, the couple agreed.

They officially became owners on November 1, 1975, just weeks after welcoming their first child. “I remember my first day thinking, ‘Will we even last 16 years like Uncle Max?,’” Mary says with a smile.

Eventually, three more children came. Raising four children while running a business wasn’t easy, but it’s something Mary and Duane cherish. The children learned the value of hard work, responsibility, and small-town freedoms. “In the summer months, they’d help in the mornings, and then head to the pool, but I always said, no swimming until the kuchen is done!,” Mary laughs.

While the bakery has seen updates over the years, many of the recipes remain the same.

The donuts, made fresh every morning, are still made from Uncle Max’s original recipe. The whole wheat bread, made with blackstrap molasses, is another longtime favorite. Sweet rolls, caramel rolls, and classic cookies continue to bring customers back again and again.

Mary and Duane have added their own touches over the years, including their signature kuchen custard and new cookie creations. But at its core, Model Bakery still tastes like it always has.

Doughnuts are made fresh each morning.

From Dawn to Donuts

Even after five decades, the work hasn’t slowed down much. These days, the couple’s day begins around 5 a.m. with fresh donuts, sometimes up to 20 dozen. Favorites include glazed twists, maple long johns, and jelly-filled Bismarcks. From there, they bake a variety of bread and buns, up to 50 loaves a day. “We’ve slowed down over the years, so we now try to focus on one thing a day as much as we can,” says Mary. So, it’s cookies or kuchen, depending on the day.

Some days are steady. Others are packed. Holidays? Those are the toughest, with longer hours, earlier mornings, and more orders than ever.

But through it all, one thing keeps them going. “The most rewarding part is making something special for people,” Mary says. “And how appreciative they are.”

This oven is original from 1954 and is still used today.

Keeping the Oven Warm?

Today, Mary and Duane Tschosik’s children have families of their own and careers outside the bakery. “They all got an education so they didn’t have to spend their lives in a bakery,” Mary jokes.

As for the future, Mary and Duane hope to pass the business on to someone who will keep it going. “It’s important to the community,” Mary says. “We get people from all over stopping in, on their way to Bismarck or coming up from South Dakota. I’d love to see it continue.”

Until then, the ovens are still on, the recipes are still being used, and the doors are still open.

Because in Linton, Model Bakery isn’t just a place to grab a donut; it’s a piece of the community’s heart.

If you or someone you know has a unique story to share, please email us at marketing@bektel.coop.