Walter E. Wellman

Pastor Walter E Wellman of the Good Samaritan Home in Park River and formerly of Edinburg, passed away at First Care Health Center of Park River on Sunday March 1, 2015. Walter was born in Flandreau, SD on January 5, 1919, the second child of Charles E and Rosa (Kukuk)Wellman. He lived with his family in rural Colman, SD and attended Rutland, SD School through 10th grade before moving with his family to Madison, SD where he graduated from High School in 1936. He married Gertrude Etterman on January 17, 1940 in Austin, TX. He was drafted into the Army in 1943 and proudly served with the 259th STA Hospital, as an Army Medic attached to the Burma Road Engineers, in Tengchung, China, until being honorably discharged in 1945. After being discharged he returned to Newton, KS and worked for the Sante Fe Railroad, before feeling a call by God to go into the ministry. He took his training in Newton, KS at the Headquarters of the General Conference of the Church of God of the Firstborn. His first Pastorate was in Shawnee, OK for a time, before moving to Edinburg in 1952, where he faithfully pastored the Church of God until October of 2008. Walter along with his wife, Gertrude and daughter,Jean made many trips ministering down through the central states from North Dakota to Texas, to Florida and into Mexico. Walter was a member of the Edinburg American Legion, he was very proud of his service to our country and enjoyed sharing stories and memorabilia of his military travels with everyone, especially with his children and grandchildren. A recent highlight for him was being able to take a trip with the National Honor Flight, at the age of 90, where he visited the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC with his son, Don. He is survived by his daughters: Lois (Bob) Lundquist, Adams, ND; Jean Wellman Grand Forks, ND; Judy(Jim)Killfoil, Grand Forks, ND; son: Don (Jodi) Wellman, Devils Lake, ND. His daughter-in-law: Adrienne Wellman, Cavalier, ND. Grandchildren: Bob,III(Kimberly)Lundquist, Julie (Dr Joel) Johnson, Park River, ND; Paul Wellman II, Cavalier, ND; Jessica(Craig)Bata, Adams, ND; Charlie(Jennifer)Wellman, Drayton, ND; Joshua Killfoil, Minneaoplis, MN; Jared Killfoil, Minneapolis, MN; Mandi(Charlie)Ricketts, Gilbert, AZ; Aaron (Briana) Wellman, Bismarck, ND; Austan Wellman, Fargo, ND; Great Grandchildren: Jeffrey Johnson, Grand Forks, ND; Jordan Johnson, Park River, ND; Christian, Courtney Lundquist, Park River, ND; Tucker, Hailey Bata, Adams, ND; Harrison Ricketts, Gilbert, AZ; Sister: Ernestine Troftgruben, Dickinson, ND. Sister-in-law Clara (Ernie) Butell, Lawrence KS. Sisters-in-Law: Phebe Ratzlaff, Langdon, ND; Ann(Leonard)Bergley, Cave Creek, AZ; Ruth Steen, Fargo, ND; Irene Etterman, Red Lake Falls, MN; Eileen Etterman, Moorhead, MN; Bothers-in-law: Paul (Marie) Etterman, Fargo, ND; Jim (Karen)Etterman, Port Isabel, TX; Pete (Delores) Etterman, Willmar, MN; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 51 years on July 13, 1991; son, Paul on October 13, 2008; and infant son Timmy in 1949, Brothers: Carroll (Lil/Grace) Wellman and Vere Wellman. Brothers-in-law: Lenes Troftgruben; Herb(Anna)Etterman; Edwin Etterman, Richard Etterman, Paul Ratzlaff, Ron Steen.