EDWARD S. WENTZ

Edward S. Wentz, 86 of Bismarck, ND, formerly of Devils Lake and Sun Lakes, AZ, passed away on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at St. Alexius Hospital, Bismarck, ND. Mass of Christian Burial for Edward will be held on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Fr. Dale Kinzler celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 4:30 p.m. The Rosary will be lead by the Knights of Columbus. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Edward will his grandchildren, Patrick Rime, Ben Flynn, Kevin and Nicole Forest, Adam Flynn, Jon and Sadie Erickson, Stephen Flynn, Katie Hovland and Austin Hovland. Reading the Scriptures: son-in-law Terry Rime Eulogy read by son-in-law Jeff Hovland Gift Bearers: granddaughters Amalia Flynn and Heather Rime Music will be provided by Patty Cote. Edward was born on January 29, 1926 in McHenry County, Rangeley, North Dakota the son of Joseph and Philomena (Kremer) Wentz. He was a graduate of Esmond High School. Edward entered the United States Army on June 18, 1945 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota and served his country during World War II with Headquarters and Headquarters Company at Adak, Alaska. He was honorably discharged on October 11, 1946 at Fort Lewis, Washington with the rank of Sergeant. Edward was united in marriage to Katherine Fisher on July 15, 1947 at Devils Lake. They established their home in Devils Lake and Edward was the owner and operator of North Star Distributors at Devils Lake, a beer distributorship, for over 30 years, retiring in 1978. In their retirement, Edward and Katherine would winter in Arizona and in 1992 made Sun Lakes, Arizona their permanent home where he enjoyed golf and many other community activities. Edward was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church until moving to Arizona and had membership with St. Steven’s Catholic Church where he served as an Altar Server and Eucharistic Minister. He was a 3rd and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, past president of the Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce, life member of the AmVets, VFW and Elks Lodge. He also was a member of the Beer Wholesalers Association and served as the Treasurer for ten years. Edward is survived by his wife of 64 years, Katherine of Bismarck, ND; daughters and sons-in-law Shirley and Terry Rime of Bismarck, ND, Sharon and David Flynn of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Susan and Jeff Hovland of Jordan, Minnesota; eight grandchildren: Patrick (Heather) Rime, Ben (Randee) Flynn, Adam (Amalia) Flynn, Stephen Flynn, Nicole (Kevin) Forest, Sadie (Jon) Erickson, Katie Hovland and Austin Hovland; and 8 great grandchildren: Abby, Kennen and Colby Forest, Gabriel and Spencer Flynn, Parker, Jace and Gavin Rime; sisters, Frances Hager, Kathy Dinehart and Helen (Al) Hoistad; many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Edward was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Wilbur and Leo Wentz.