Jeffrey "Jeff" A. Wahl

Jeffrey (Jeff) Allen Wahl, 58, of Devils Lake, ND passed away of natural causes on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital. 

A celebration of life will be held at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, March 16, 2023 from 5 pm-7 pm for any family and friends wishing to attend, followed by a prayer service at 7 pm with Rev. Kevin Anderson, Pastor at River of Life Church officiating. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023 and 11:00 am at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake, with Rev. JoHanna Buchholz officiating. Funeral services will be live-streamed at facebook.com/oslcdevilslake.com

Jeffrey was born on August 2, 1964 to Sharon Wahl (Felch) and Robert Wahl. Jeff resided in the Bismarck-Mandan area before moving to Devils Lake, where he attended elementary school and, in 1983, became the first in his family to graduate high school. 

While in high school, Jeff became involved in the DECA program. He was proud of the skills he learned in DECA and credited this program for the sales skills that made him the successful business man he had become. In his youth, Jeff had the opportunity to travel with and work concessions for The Bill Dillard Carnival for two consecutive summers. This experience early on taught him about the hustle of selling to make money to provide for his family.

Upon graduation, Jeff attended Lake Region Junior College, planning to pursue a degree in Law Enforcement. It was during this time he also started selling cars at Marks Chevrolet, in Cando, ND. Jeff always liked nice cars. Jeff figured out you could always drive a new car if you were selling cars. And now you know the origin of his story. Jeff gave up the dream of being a police officer to become an amazing auto salesman, and achieved the dream of one day owning a dealership. Although he didn’t have the college diploma, he continued his education with sales training, attending the auto dealers conventions, and reading books related to sales.  Jeff loved meeting new people. It seemed that he had connections across the country. You might be out of state, and have car trouble. It never failed, he seemed to know someone to help you out.  He felt it was important to get to know the people in the crowd, introducing himself, and finding out their transportation needs as well. 

Jeff volunteered at the Lake Region Youth Association, was part of the Big Brother Big Sister program, and had a love for boxing, which was one of the programs offered there. During this time, Jeff had been involved as a competitor, later coached boxing, and eventually became a professional boxing official. He was proud to tell stories of his moments with some of the biggest boxing legends of the time. While volunteering at the Lake Region Youth Association, he met his wife-to-be and love of his life, Barb. Jeff was united in marriage on February 15, 1986 to Barbara McDowell in New Rockford, ND. They resided in Devils Lake where their son, Christopher was born. The family moved to Bismarck in 1988 where Jeff continued in auto sales, advancing to the position of Sales Manager.  Over the next several years they welcomed two more sons, Michael and Daniel. In 1997 the family moved back to Devils Lake. Jeff continued in auto sales, as Sales Manager, and eventually becoming the General Manager. Jeff had a knack for envisioning a great future, expanding where things were lacking. In 2015 Jeff took a leap of faith and began working with The Vision Consulting Firm, then branched off to have his independent consulting firm, Jeff Wahl and Associates, continuing to build the legacy he was so proud of. About that same time, Jeff  acquired his Real Estate license and worked for the Reign Realty company that he eventually purchased with his son Chris. It has now become a family run business.  Shortly after in 2016, he and his sons opened Wahl Family Automotive. In addition to these new pursuits, he had begun taking flying lessons, working toward his dream of becoming a pilot.

            Jeff has never been afraid of a challenge or hard work. Overcoming adversity and roadblocks, he was able to innovate a solution and never had a “plan B” but adopted a new “plan A”. Jeff has always been committed to helping others and was a prominent member of the Devils Lake community.  He belonged to numerous civic organizations; the Shriners being one of those. He took great pride chairing the hot dog booth at Devils Run. Tapping into his previous carnival employment, he knew the importance of selling the experience. He was already planning the upcoming 2023 event at the time of his death.

Jeff was one of the founders and served on the Hope Center board of directors. This was something he held very near and dear to his heart. He was strong in his faith and envisioned great things both within his family and in the community around him. He and his family acquired property along Stump Lake. In the tall grass along the shore he could see his growing family uniting there - even before the family had grown, creating memories for years to come. “Build it and they will come,” he said. And once again, he was right. He left a lasting mark on everything he was involved in and will be greatly missed. 

Jeff was proud of his accomplishments, the biggest being his three sons, and the families they have created. He took great pride attending their high school sporting events and cheering them on. The greatest events consisted of the days the boys were united in marriage, and the arrival of each of his nine grandchildren.  

Jeff is survived by his loving wife, Barb, his sons Christopher (Jolene) Wahl of Devils Lake, ND, Michael (Haleigh) Wahl of Bismarck, ND, and Daniel (Melanie) Wahl of Cando, ND, and his grandchildren Elliot, Wesley, and Colbie; Lillian, Bennett, and Evelyn; and Amelia, Sophie and Brianna. 

Jeff is also survived by his siblings, Robert (Brenda) Wahl, Greg Schlittenhart, Bobby (Kelly) Wahl, Sean (Veronica) Wahl, Melanie (Drew) Lenz, and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

Jeff was preceded in death by his mother, Sharon and father, Robert, step-father Eldon Schlittenhart and his siblings Scott Wahl and Kyle Schlittenhart.

“God bless you all. I will miss you, and always love you. Please live on and mourn only a short time. -Jeff (Over and out).”