Clark E. Weninger, 61, formerly of New Town, died Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at his home near Sentinel Butte. There will be a gathering of family and friends memorial service at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, September 28, 2014 at the Weninger Ranch south of Sentinel Butte, with Rev. Warren Maxted officiating. On Sunday, October 5, 2014 at 2 p.m. CT, there will be a memorial service at the Bethel Lutheran Church, New Town, with Rev. Robert Schmidt officiating. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend this celebration of Clark’s life.
Clark Eckert Weninger was the second born child of Ernest and Izetta (Nafus) Weninger, coming into the world on March 14, 1953. He grew up on the family farm/ranch south of New Town, attending country school, and later New Town High School, graduating in 1972.
After an accident put him in a wheelchair in 1972, Clark made the best of life. He traveled to Pine City, Minn. where he attended Pine Technical College and mastered the gunsmithing trade. He also loved building and flying radio controlled model airplanes.
Clark was an avid hunter. With his brother Steve, and Clark’s many friends, he spent lots of happy times hunting deer, antelope, elk and other critters. Through his gunsmithing business, Clark made lots of friends and steady customers who had confidence in his skills. Clark was a passionate life-long member of the NRA.
He was an inspiration to his friends and family. He greeted every day with his great smile and always had a kind word when needed. He also was armed with a full repertoire of sarcastic jabs to use on his friends.
He dearly loved spending time with his family and especially enjoyed the hugs of all the children who called him Uncle “Bug”. As his parents aged, Clark took care of them in spite of being confined to his wheelchair. One of the most significant attributes that Clark held to was a generous, sacrificial love for his family. He did more than expected for those that he loved; it wasn’t even a choice to do otherwise. It was simply ingrained into the very fabric of the man; he chose that as his life style and was such a blessing to everyone. He did these amazing feats of love with utter grace and humility, too. He was a hero to many of us.
Clark was preceded in death by his father. He is survived by his mother, Izetta of Williston; his brother and wife, Steve and Debb Weninger of Sentinel Butte; and his sister, Holly Weninger (George Walker) of Cartwright. Clark also had a dozen nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews that he adored. They are as follows: (niece) Michelle (Kim) Knecht; mother of grand-nephews Cody, Corey and Brandon; (niece) Tawnya (Jeremy) Bulger; parents of grand-nieces Miranda, Bailey and Clara; grand-nephew Cayden; (niece) Jodi Rubke (Miles Gerbig), mother of grand-niece Tehya and grand-nephews Traetyn and Tavyn; (niece) Mandy Weninger of Grand Forks; (niece) Erin O’Connor and nephew Tyler O’Connor. Clark is also survived by countless friends.
Gifts or memorials may be directed to the Bethel Home in Williston, North Dakota, the Ronald McDonald House, Bismarck, or to the NRA.
