Howard "Dick" Wedel
Funeral services were Tuesday Nov. 21, 2023 at 1 a.m. CT at St. Michael's and All Angels Church, Cartwright, ND, with Pastor Kim Fox officiating. Military Honors were presented by the American Legion Post 114 and The United States Air Force Honor Guard. A luncheon followed the burial at the Cartwright Community Center, Cartwright, ND. He was laid to rest at the Yellowstone Point Cemetery, Cartwright, ND. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Sidney, MT assisted the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures were shared with the family at http://www.fulkersons.com.
Howard Richard (Dick) Wedel was born to Howard and Hazel (Duffy) Wedel, in Hardin, MT on Nov. 8, 1938. He graduated from Polson High School with the class of 1956.
He married Diane Lucero. From this union had two children, Richard and Beverly. Later he married Delores Sauter and had his daughter, Kathleen.
Dick served in the Marines from 1955-1965. During this time, he was stationed in California (29 Palms and Camp Pendleton), Hawaii, Japan, and Billings, MT. Dick transferred to the Air Force and served from 1965 until his retirement in 1976. During his time in the Air Force, he and his family were stationed in Turkey, Colorado, Johnston Island, Montana, Utah, California, Taiwan, and Texas. Dick worked in Radio and Television Communications and as a recruiting officer.
Dick met the love of his life, Aone Sanderson and her children Aleta and Kirk, in Billings, MT. They got married on Nov. 1,1969. Shortly after, Dick adopted Aleta and Kirk and they raised their three children.
After retiring from the military, Dick and his family settled in Missoula, MT. There he was the manager/insurance auditor and inspector for Jensen & Moore Insurance, which later brought another move, this time to Rapid City, SD. He also had a sideline business called the Sports Man's Pub.
In 1983 they moved to Aone's family farm in Cartwright, ND, where along with farming the land he maintained his job as an auditor having offices in Williston, ND, and Glendale, AZ. He also did crop adjusting, worked beets with the neighbors, and started D&A Steel Buildings. Dick also held positions in the Farmers Union.
Dick loved to golf, bowl, hunt, shoot pool, and spend time with his family. And, some of his favorite memories are from his travels to Arizona with Aone where they would spend the winter months.
In 2000, Aone was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Dick became her primary caregiver. He showed compassion and unconditional love through all of their challenges, never skipping a beat. They were, and will forever be, partners, and soul mates through and through.
In 2010, Dick and Aone moved back to Missoula, MT, to be closer to their daughter Aleta and two of their grandchildren, Alishka and Brianna.
Dick was always cool, calm, and collected. His sense of humor could make anyone smile. The things he did for his loved ones were invaluable. He was truly the best husband, dad, and grandfather anyone could ask for. Dick's last days were spent at home celebrating his 85th birthday with loved ones.
Dick is preceded in death by his wife Aone, his parents Howard and Hazel Wedel, his sister Carol, and brother David. He is survived by his stepsister, Sheelia Miller; children, Aleta Rae Link (Andy); Kathleen Rae Russell (Rick); Kirk Duane Wedel; Richard Wedel (Mavis); and Beverly Peterson (Hayward); and his numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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