Donald M. Wenaas

Donald Wenaas, 86, of Jamestown, ND, died Sunday, September 11, 2011 at Medcenter One in Bismarck, ND.

Donald M. Wenaas was born at Mayville, ND, July 8, 1925, the son of Henry and Hannah (Gilberts) Wenaas. Don graduated from Mayville High School in 1943 and entered the US Navy that same year. He served in the Pacific Theatre and was in China when WWII ended. After being discharged from the US Navy in 1946, Don attended NDSU. He received an engineering degree from NDSU and a teaching degree from Mayville State. On June 13, 1948, he was united in marriage to Alta Stromberg at Hope, ND. In 1950, Don began teaching math and science at Hanlontown, Iowa, and in 1954 accepted a teaching position in Northwood, ND. In 1956, he accepted the position of assistant city engineer of Grand Forks, ND. In 1959, Don became the City Engineer of the City of Jamestown, a position he held until 1974. He later did consulting engineering and surveying.

Don was active for many years in the Jamestown Lions, from which he received the Melvin Jones Award, and the American Legion, serving as both Post and District Commander. He was also a member of the Elks, Eagles, and served on the Salvation Army board. Don was a longtime volunteer of the Jamestown Fire Dept. He was also a Park Board Commissioner, serving for 14 years and was very instrumental in the construction of the new clubhouse.

Don was baptized into the Norwegian Lutheran Church, Mayville and was a charter member of Atonement Lutheran Church, Jamestown.

He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and his many Canadian fishing trips and sporting events of all kinds.

Don is survived by his wife of 63 years, Alta Wenaas, Jamestown; three children, Joyce (Dwaine) Heinrich, Jamestown, Larry (Jan) Wenaas, Dilworth, MN, and Hal (Mary Jane) Wenaas, Litchfield, MN; four grandchildren, Troy (Wenda) LeFevre, Jamestown, David Wenaas, Arkansas, Crystal Wenaas, Minneapolis, and Hannah Wenaas, of Dilworth, MN; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Steve (Lorraine) Wenaas, Carrington, ND, and Dr. Harold (Leona) Wenaas, Great Falls, MT; and two sisters, Helen Wenaas, Mayville, ND and Beverly Sorenson, Joliet, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; and one sister.

Funeral Service : 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at Atonement Lutheran Church, 1009 12th Avenue NE, Jamestown.

Family will receive visitors : 4:00 p.m., to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 13, 2011 at Williams-Lisko Funeral Chapel, Jamestown.

Burial: Highland Home Cemetery, Jamestown, ND.