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Earl Menz, formerly of Wimbledon, ND, died July 12, 2015 at the age of 90 under care of Hospice of the Red River Valley in Sheyenne Care Center in Valley City, ND.  He was born on a farmstead 4 miles north of Wimbledon on Feb. 14, 1925.  He was the son of Martin W. and Clara (Mahlke) Menz.

He grew up with his family farming.  Living through the Great Depression, he received his education at Wimbledon School, graduating in 1943 as class valedictorian.  During WW2 he enlisted in the United States Merchant Marines, serving 3 years, trained as a radio operator and Commissioned Warrant Officer.  He returned to Wimbledon in 1947 to farm with his father and two brothers.  He operated a bulk fuel business in Wimbledon with his cousin Willard Hankel called H&M Oil Co.  They sold Deep Rock products.

Chester entered the US Army in 1950 during the Korean War.  He was a combat veteran serving as a chief Radio Operator in a forward observer unit having the rank of Technical Sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1952.

He returned to Wimbledon and continued to farm with his father and two brothers.

On Jan. 17, 1958 Chester married Elaine Miklethun on Wimbledon, ND, and they made their home on their farm north of Wimbledon all their married life.  They had two sons Marlyn and Joel and had many years of farming with them.  He also enjoyed being a ham radio operator.

He spent 27 years on the Pierce Township Board, serving as Treasurer, and served as Treasurer for Prairie View Cemetery.

He entered the Sheyenne Care Center in Feb. of 2013.

Chester is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elaine; two sons: Marlyn (Velda) Menz, Wimbledon, ND and Joel (Lori) Menz, Wimbledon, ND; a sister, Charlotte Grager of Enumclaw, WA and a brother, Marshall Menz of Wimbledon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Nora Schroeder, and a brother, Lloyd.

Private family services are planned.

An online guest book is available at lerudschuldt.com.