Maynard Wedul, 92

Lake City – Maynard T. Wedul, formerly of Thief River Falls, passed away quietly in his sleep on October 24, 2023. Maynard was born April 25, 1931 in Hazel.

He is survived by his three children, Dean (Linda) Wedul, Karen Wedul, Kristina Gimse Wedul, his five grand-children, Eric (Caroline Page) Wedul, Kristen Wedul, Kate Evans, Hamilton Evans and Sebastian Evans.

He was predeceased by his wife, Rosalee Wedul; and his four brothers.

Maynard had a colorful and often eventful life. He grew up in Hazel, Minnesota until 1945 when his parents and brothers moved to Thief River Falls. He graduated from Lincoln High School in

1948. He attended Moorhead State University from 1948 to 1952. During his summers at MSU, he worked for the U.S. Forestry Service fighting forest fires in Idaho. He often spoke of the Lewis and Clark National Fire in 1951, one of the worst in U.S. history.

In 1952, Maynard received his draft notice during the Korean War. He enlisted in the U. S. Air Force where he was trained and trained others in flying six different planes. He was proud to have served.

Maynard and Rosie met at Ellington Air Force Base in Houston, Texas. He often told the story of how he met Rosie. He went to church, saw this gorgeous woman in the choir, wanting to meet her, he joined the choir and the rest is Wedul family history as they married in 1956.

Reaching the rank of Captain, Maynard received orders to serve at Elmendorf Air Force base in Anchorage, Alaska. He served in Anchorage until 1959. Upon his father’s stroke, he decided to retire from the Air Force. Maynard, Rosie and their son, Dean, moved to Thief River Falls to take over his father’s business, Wedul Trucking. Maynard loved flying, but even more, he loved to drive his trucks. He recorded at least 3 million miles of driving time all the while listening to country music and talk radio.

Maynard, Rosie, Dean and infant daughter, Karen, moved from the town to a farm by the Thief River Falls airport. Maynard became a farmer while running his trucking business. The summer of 1968, he had a near fatal farming accident. He had to have facial reconstruction surgery. He returned to the farm life, never deterred by the accident.

In December, 1973, the house where the Wedul family lived, burned down. Maynard and Rosie rebuilt, and in February of 1974, their third child, daughter, Kristina Gimse was born.

During Maynard’s time in Thief River Falls, he served on the school board for many years. He also ran for the Minnesota State Representatives in 1976. Maynard trained and became an itinerant preacher for the United Methodist Church. He often preached at church services and lead many Bible studies. His faith in God was always at the forefront of his life.

In September, 2009, Maynard and Rosie sold the farm and “retired to the south” to Lake City. While in Lake City, Rosie suffered a debilitating stroke that left her unable to care for herself. Maynard retired from trucking at age 80 to care for Rosie. He spent 10 years of his life dedicated to her care. He often said, “She would have done the same for me.”

Maynard was a bit of a showman. He loved to sing and was a self taught piano player. He would entertain many a family and friend singing his well loved, “Mrs. Johnson Turn Me Loose” along with other songs and telling Ole and Lena jokes. He was even asked, at 90, to sing and tell jokes at a friend’s 100 birthday party. Never to turn an opportunity down, he entertained many friends and family.

He was a proud Norwegian. During his lifetime he had many nicknames. The HAPPY NORWEGIAN was on all of his trucks, M.T., (Rosie’s favorite), Swede, a name given to him during the Air Force which was a humorously derogatory name since he was Norwegian. He will forever be known as Dad, Grandpa and Pakka by his children and grandchildren.

Burial will be Friday, December 8, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Fort Snelling, Minneapolis and the memorial will be on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Redeeming Grace Community Church, 213 N. Oak St., Lake City, MN 55041. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please consider a monetary gift to Redeeming Grace Community Church.

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