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R. “Wes” Spear, 102, of Oakes, ND, passed away July 21, 2013 at the Oakes Community Hospital.
He was born on March 9, 1911 in Hudson Township, near Oakes, ND, to Howard H. and Minnie (Koch) Spear. Their home was the former Hudson Stage Coach Inn, which has been moved to a farmsite nearby. Wes received his elementary education in Hudson School and graduated from Oakes High School with the class of 1929.
He worked with his father on the farm until the fall of 1933, when he began working for Emil Tedin as a welder and mechanic. In the spring of 1934, Wes began working for A.O. Foster Company at the Pure Oil Station and in 1935, as parts man and car sales at Foster Chevrolet, Inc.
Wes was united in marriage to Yordis Olsen of Frederick, South Dakota on September 4, 1938. They continued to live in Oakes until 1943, when Wes returned to farming. He operated a threshing machine for two years before combines were used. In 1935, Wes was instrumental in organizing the James Valley Telephone Company, serving 18 farms. He was a 4-H leader for nearly 12 years, served on the school board of the Oakes Public School for 8 years, and was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, serving as a council member on two different terms.
Wes and Yordis retired from farming in 1976, but continued to live on the farm until January of 1989, when they moved into Oakes. Wes became a resident of the Good Samaritan Society in 2009 to join his wife. Yordis passed away August 12, 2010.
He is survived by a son, Noel Spear, Oakes, ND; a daughter, Ethana (John) Zumpf, Miles City, MT; five grandchildren, Wesley (Jen) Spear, Kandythe (Scott) Zdep, Paul Zumpf, Steven Zumpf, Doreen (Dave) Withee; 7 great-grandchildren; He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Yordis, a son, Wesley Allyn, 2 brothers, Lawrence and Art, and 2 sisters, Marguerite Zieman and Grace Doggett.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2013 from 9-10 a.m. with his memorial service to follow starting at 10 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Oakes. Burial will be at Oakes View Cemetery. An online guestbook may be signed at www.dahlstromfuneralhome.com