Don L. Wilhelm

Don L. Wilhelm, 85, passed away on February 11, 2017 under the loving care of his beloved wife, Mary, and Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater, Florida.
Don was born November 6, 1931, in Bismarck, ND, the son of Frederick F. & Minnie (Cassidy) Wilhelm. He was raised and educated in Bismarck, attended St. Mary's Grade School, and graduated from St. Mary's High School. He graduated from Minot State College with a teaching certificate and was inducted into the ND Hall of Fame for basketball October 5, 1985. Don was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve from December 23, 1953, to December 22, 1956 at which time he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant.
For over 60 years Don worked in the automobile industry. He started out at the bottom as a clean-up boy and eventually worked his way up the ladder to sales. In 1952 he joined the sales staff at Missouri Valley Motors, Bismarck and in 1954 became the sales manager. From 1959-1961 he was the owner of Volkswagen dealerships, Courtesy Motors, Bismarck, Import Motors, Minot, Import Motors, Fort Pierre, SD. In 1960 he purchased Mickelson Motors in Jamestown, renaming it James River Motors and later Don Wilhelm, Inc, which is still family owned today. In 1986, Don and family purchased the Buick-Cadillac-Oldsmobile Mazda store in Bismarck, which he sold in 2006. Through the years, Don also owned Scotti Muffler Centers in Jamestown, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Detroit Lakes, MN. Don was also an owner and director of Kirkwood Bank in Bismarck, ND, a partner of Wilhelm Properties with his family; a ND Auto Dealers Past Chairman and was named a recipient of the 2004 Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award; and a Board Member for the Missouri Slope United Way and the University of Mary. Don was a member of numerous Catholic Churches, Elks, Eagles, and Knights of Columbus.
In 1954, Don was fortunate to drive a 1954 Desoto convertible in the parade through downtown Bismarck with Miss Linton as the honoree. On January 8, 1955, Don married Miss Linton, Betty O'Donald. Through the unity of this marriage, Don and Betty were blessed with 4 children, Rod, Jeff, Dan & Lisa. Betty passed away in 1980. In 1985, Don married Mary L. Forsythe. Don and Mary cherished their many wonderful trips together abroad and in the U.S. They shared homes in Jamestown, Bismarck, Detroit Lakes, MN, Palm Springs, CA, Tobin Lake, Canada & their beloved Florida where they met, fell in love, and currently resided. Don enjoyed many years of hunting and fishing in ND, SD & Montana with his brother Fritz, son Rod, grandchildren, and friends.
Don is survived by his wife, Mary, 3 children, Rod (Sandy), Jeff, Jamestown, ND, and Lisa Wilhelm Lindberg (Jamie Heid) of Bismarck, ND, grandchildren Jeremy Wilhelm, Omaha, NE, Shawn (Shaunda) Krebsbach, Fargo, ND, Aletha (Mike) Lawson, Eagle River, AK, Jordan Wilhelm, Jamestown, Chantelle (Alan) Williams, Jamestown, ND, Lance (Sarah) Wilhelm, Bismarck, Josh Lindberg, Tyler Lindberg, Austin Lindberg all of Bismarck, Rebecca Rivard, NY, 7 great-grandchildren, 1 nephew, 2 nieces & 1 great niece.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick & Minnie Wilhelm, brother Fritz Wilhelm, sister Deloris Acquistapace, son, Dan Wilhelm, and father & mother-in-law, Charles and Mona Forsythe.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, February 25 at St. James Basilica, Jamestown, ND with Msgr. Jeffrey L. Wald, officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Bismarck, ND. Visitation will be 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Thursday, February 23 and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Friday at Eddy Funeral Chapel. A vigil service will be held at 7:00 PM, Friday at St. James Basilica.
Suggested Memorials: Huntington's Disease Society of America-Northern Plains Chapter, www.hdsa.org, Parkinson's Disease, or St. James Basilica, Jamestown, ND.

Online guest book: www.eddyfuneralhome.com

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