Wendelin J. "Wendy" Reiger

Wendelin “Wendy” J. Reiger, 82 a lifelong resident of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Sunday afternoon, April 18, 2010 at his home in the loving care of his daughters. Mass of Christian Burial for Wendy will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Dale Kinzler will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Military Honors will be 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 Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and at St. Joseph Catholic Church from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. The Rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Casket Bearers for Wendy will be Rick Schneider, Sheldon Grigsby, Kevin Wilhelmi, Drew Wilhelmi, Greg Stanke, George Reiger, Jay Olson and Brad Larson. Reading the Scriptures will be Stormie Bledsoe and Casey Wilhelmi; Gift Bearers will be Shannan, Samantha and Camryn Stanke and Jocelyn Wilhelmi; Music will be provided by Lynne Webster and JoDee Lagein Wendelin Joseph Reiger, the loving son of Joseph and Cecelia (Schafer) Reiger was born on February 15, 1928 at Devils Lake, ND where he would make his home for his entire life. Wendy attended school in Devils Lake until the eighth grade, then as the eldest son, began working to help support the family. While furthering his career in the National Guard, Wendy returned to school and received his diploma in 1979 from St. Mary’s Academy. He began working at the Farmers Union Creamery and this is where he met the love of his life. Wendy was united in marriage to Darlyne Olson on November 17, 1948 at Crary, ND. They established their home in Devils Lake until Wendy entered the United States Army on January 16, 1951. He served his country during the Korean War and after his honorable discharge on October 1, 1952 with the rank of Specialist First Class he returned to Devils Lake. Making their home in Devils Lake for over 60 years, Wendy was a member of the Knights of Columbus, VFW, Elks Lodge and Eagles Lodge. Wendy began his service with the North Dakota National Guard in 1952 and retired in 1988. In 1985, Wendy retired from Civil Service at Camp Grafton as a mechanic. During his career with the National Guard there were several historic events he took part in; such as the Gordon Kahl incident, the “Zip to Zap” and the many times the National Guard was activated for snow removal. Together, Wendy and Darlyne were great on the dance floor and also competitive pinochle partners. In his younger days, Wendy played city league hockey, league bowling and was the catcher for the fast-pitch softball team. He was an award winning marksman and was inducted into the North Dakota National Guard Marksmanship Hall of Fame on April 10, 1999. He also enjoyed golf, riding his motorcycle, hunting and especially the annual trips to South Dakota during pheasant season. Wendy was a self-taught carpenter and most recently in his retirement, was a driver for several local car dealerships. Wendy served his God, country and family. He was a loving, caring, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Even in his illness, his “Servants Heart” was evident as he devoted himself to caring for Darlyne until her death on April 5, 2010. God’s boundless love, mercy and grace for the family was ever present, as will be the memories of Wendy. Wendy is survived by his daughters, Cheryl and her husband Rick Schneider of Allen, Texas, Nancy and her husband Sheldon Grigsby of Mesa, AZ and Gayle and her husband Kevin Wilhelmi of Devils Lake; Nine Grandchildren and Ten Great Grandchildren, Shannan (Greg) Stanke and their children, Samantha, Camryn and Grace; Michelle Schneider and her children, Kelsea and Alex, Amanda Schneider and her daughter, Phoenix; Alexys Grigsby and her children Malaki and Lyla, Stormie (Greg) Bledsoe and their children Bella and Noah, Spencer Grigsby; Casey, Jocelyn and Drew Wilhelmi; brothers, Walter Reiger and his wife, Carolyn of Yuma, Arizona and George Reiger and his wife, LaVerne of Arvada, Colorado; sisters, Elsie Berge of Seattle, Washington and Katherine and her husband, Gordon Birckholz of Bismarck, ND; Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Wendy was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Darlyne; daughter Brenda in June of 2002; sister, Genevieve Reiger and brothers, Michael Reiger and Richard Reiger.