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Thomas Wegenast passed away at the Sanford Palliative Care Center in Fargo, ND on March 28, 2015.
Marvin was born March 9, 1925 in Ray Township, west of Edgeley, North Dakota. He was the son of Albert and Marie (Schwartz) Wegenast.
He attended grade school in Ray Township, graduated from Edgeley High School in 1944, and finished his schooling at Ellendale Normal and Industrial College where he received his degree in teaching. He taught in rural schools throughout Ray Township for several years.
Marvin joined the National Guard in 1944. He served the US Army during World War II, then received his basic military training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He also served in the Second Armored Division at Fort Sill. Before receiving an honorable discharge during service at West Point Military Academy, he was a clerk typist at the US Military Academy in New York. Having received his 40 year pin from the Edgeley American Legion, he was often called upon to present the US flag to Veterans’ families.
Marvin and Karolina (Welder) Wegenast were married on October 15, 1946 at the Transfiguration Catholic Church in Edgeley. He was devoted to his wife, Karolina, and their four girls: Theresa, Clara, Patty and Boni.
Marvin and Karolina lived on their farm in Ray Township for 26 years. Together with Marvin’s brother, Wilbert, and his wife, Margaret, the two brothers brought up their families, grew grain and raised beef and dairy cattle on the farm. In 1972, Marvin and Karolina purchased the Edgeley Tastee Freeze, which they operated for five years until starting their own painting and decorating business in 1977. They worked this business until retirement.
Family was of the utmost importance to Marvin. He enjoyed working in his shop and visiting with his four grandchildren: Adam, Joel, and Paul Sylvester and Amy Robb. He was known for giving them timely wisdom, too much candy, and toys he’d craft for them by hand. He later enjoyed his four great grandchildren: Elizabeth, Tony, Addison and Dawson Sylvester. He also loved photography. His photos and photo albums have always been cherished by family and friends.
Marvin was an active community member who belonged to the Knights of Columbus for more than 50 years. He was the director of the Edgeley Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) for 11 years and taught religion, in addition to serving on the Edgeley Coop Creamery Board, Dakota Plains Credit Union Board, and the H. Douglas Weaver Scholarship Committee. He was the Chairman of the American Disabilities Committee in Edgeley and helped implement ADA requirements throughout town.
He is survived by his wife, Karolina; 4 daughters, Theresa Paul of Edgeley, Clara Sylvester of Sioux Falls of South Dakota, Patty Holt of Vancouver, WA, and Boni Wegenast of Berlin, ND; two son-in-laws, Don Paul and Kit Dohrman; 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Wilbert Wegenast, one sister, Gloria Woodward, and one son-in-law, Ed Holt. Marvin was also survived by many other relatives as he was the oldest living member of the Wegenast family.
Prayer Service: Wednesday, April 1 at 7 pm at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Edgeley, ND
Funeral Service: Thursday, April 2 at 10 am at Transfiguration Catholic Church in Edgeley, ND
An online guest book is available at liskofuneralchapel.com.