Donald P. Wold

Donald P. Wold, 95 of Starkweather ND passed away on Monday morning, June 21, 2021 at Eventide Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake ND.

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.  The Rosary and Scripture Service will be at the Assumption of Mary Catholic Church in Starkweather on Wednesday, June 23^rd at 7:00 p.m. with the Knights of Columbus leading the Rosary.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at the Assumption of Mary Church in Starkweather with burial in the church 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.

Donald Patrick Wold was born on December 18, 1925 at Graceville MN, the son of James and Irene (Coyne) Wold.  Due to his mother’s serious illness, Donald and his twin sister Kathleen came at a very young age to live with Leo and Margaret Callahan in Munich ND.  He was reared and educated in Munich, graduating from Munich High School with the class of 1944.  On June 20^th, 1944 he entered the United States Navy and proudly and honorably served his country during World War II.   He served at San Pedro and Saint Nicholas Island Navel Bases and also in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.  He was honorably discharged as Seaman 1^st Class on April 4^th, 1946. 

After his discharge, Don attend St. John’s University in Collegeville MN, with emphasis on accounting and business.  He later joined Leo in the banking business in Munich and Starkweather, retiring in 1990 as the President of the bank. 

When attending a bank Christmas Party, Donald met the love of his life, Rosemary Griggs and they were united in marriage on December 29, 1962.  They celebrated over 50 years of marriage before her death on September 12, 2013.  They established their home in Starkweather where they lived, worked and raised their family through the years.  For 24 years, they spent their winters in Arizona where they enjoyed the warm climate, but especially their many snowbird friends.

Don was a member of the Assumption of Mary Catholic Church and was a Knights of Columbus 4^th Degree.  He belonged to several banking organizations through the years and enjoyed membership in the Elks Lodge.  Don was very active in the communities of Munich and Starkweather, served on the city councils, was mayor of Starkweather for several years, sponsored a men’s bowling league and many other community activities and events.  

In his younger years, Don went on many fishing trips to Canada with friends and family.  In retirement, Don loved watching Bonanza and Gunsmoke on TV, any Western was acceptable.  He enjoyed automobiles and drove quite a variety of makes and models throughout his lifetime.  On Sundays after church, he especially enjoyed going to Sunday dinner with his son, Mark and the family.  His family always admired Don’s patience and his good judgement.  His family also knew him to be frugal which he demonstrated to them on many occasions.  Because the kids had a bad habit of leaving the lights on throughout the house, Don’s famous saying to them was always “Do you work for Ottertail?”  And of course when the answer was “No” then he would tell him “turn off the lights.”

Don served his country, served and loved his Lord and Savior, had a devotion to the Blessed Mother and was a dedicated, loving husband, father and grandfather.  He was proud of his children and grandchildren and treasured every moment he got to spend with them. 

Don’s loving family include his children John Wold and his wife Gretchen of Eagle River, Alaska, Mary Wold of Devils Lake ND and Mark Wold and his wife Joni and their children, Don’s grandchildren Ashton and Seth Wold all of Devils Lake; sisters-in-law Maxine Erickstad, Starkweather ND, Patricia Griggs and Ellen Griggs both of Grand Forks ND and several nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, the beloved Leo and Margaret who raised him, his wife Rosemary, twin sister Kathleen Pusch and sister Margaret Wold and brothers Richard and Bernard Wold.