Derril D. Wedell

Derril Dennis Wedell, 76, son of Paul and Paula Wedell, was born March 12, 1933 in Ellendale, ND at the family homestead and was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church, Albion Township, Dickey County. He graduated in 1951 from Ellendale High School. He served honorably in the United States Army as a Staff Sergeant during the Korean War. He then attended the School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK. As a pilot, Derril owned and flew a 1946 Aeronca 11BC Chief. He was called home to help on the family farm and became more than a farmer, he was a steward of the land, cultivating and nurturing what God entrusted to him. Derril was a lifelong farmer, active with the Soil Conservation District as a supervisor and planting trees, sold Dekalb seed and worked as a Rural Letter Carrier for 26 years, retiring from the USPS in 1998. Derril was a 50 year member of the American Legion Herman-Schlinker Post #137, as well as a member and past commander of the VFW Post #3545 in Ellendale, representing the loyalty and respect he felt for his country. On February 14, 1959 Derril married Nancy Larson at Zion Lutheran Church in Ellendale. Their union brought into this world what he considered his greatest contribution - his four children. Always up for a laugh, Derril was a man of few “serious” words, showing his affection and friendship through humor and kidding. Fondly referred to by many names: DD, Big Daddy, Derril D., Pops, Grandpa D – all roles led to one …that he was an amazing man, loved by many. Dad’s passions included flying, card playing, photography, feeding the finches, tending his garden, putz’n in the garage and caring for his buddies, Blossom, Pickles, Sparky and Silver. Grateful to have shared in his life are his children Paul C. (Judy) Wedell of Ellendale, Derrin (Paul) O’Connell of Shawnee, KS., James (Cheryl) Wedell of Shawnee, KS, and Sarah (Clay) Wagner of Dennison, MN., grandchildren Joshua Vaughn, Isabel Wedell, Amber (Jason) Miller, Austin & Allyssa Smith, William, Catherine, and August Wagner, Taylor Wedell as well as numerous relatives and friends. Derril joined his Eternal Father, “The Man Upstairs”, on January 13, 2010 at Sanford MeritCare Hospital, Fargo, ND. He is survived by his sister Mardella (George) Martin of Pelican Rapids, MN and his brother Warren Wedell of Ellendale. Derril was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy, and his parents. We’ll miss Dad’s “big blues”, burnin’ up burgers, his weather reports, his giving spirit, toothy grin and his hearty laugh. Now you can soar with the eagles Dad, we love you dearly. The funeral service is 10:00am Monday at Zion Lutheran Church, Ellendale with Pastor Tyson Labuhn officiating. Visitation is 12:00pm to 5:00pm Sunday with a prayer service at 2:00pm at Hoven Funeral Chapel, Ellendale. Burial is Monday at Ellendale City Cemetery with Military Honors by Herman-Schlinker Post #137. Arrangements by Hoven Funeral Chapel.