Donald M. Wilmes, 87, Richardton, died Monday, January 7, 2013 at the Baptist Home, Bismarck. Don’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m., Friday, January 11, 2013 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Richardton, with Fr. Boniface Muggli, OSB as the celebrant. Interment will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military Honors will be provided by the Richardton American Legion, Theo. R. Zech Post #180. Visitation will be on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service, and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the church with a rosary & vigil at 8 p.m.
Donald M. Wilmes was born October 3, 1925 at Glen Ullin, the son of Peter J. and Theresa (Tavis) Wilmes. He was raised and educated in Glen Ullin, graduating from Glen Ullin High School in 1943. Don enlisted in the United States Army on November 12, 1946 and served honorably until his discharge on May 25, 1948.
Don was united in marriage to Helen Weinzirl on November 16, 1948 at Herreid, S.D. They made their home in Glen Ullin where he operated heavy equipment during the construction of the Heart River Dam. The family then moved to Washington state where he attended telegrapher school. They returned to North Dakota in 1952 where Don began a 33 year career with Northern Pacific Railroad, retiring in 1985, and since 1958 they have made Richardton their home.
He was an avid golfer and bowler. He belonged to the Richardton Lions Club, and the Dickinson Elks.
Don is survived by his wife of 64 years, Helen; five children, Claude (Carol), Bismarck, Koleen (Gerald) Hoff, Richardton, Wayne (Sandi), Aurora, Colo., Lauren (Rosie), Richardton, and Neal (Marilyn), Golden Valley; 14 grandchildren, Gregg (Maria) Wilmes, Erin Wilmes, Brent (Pam) Hoff, Wendy (Dustin) Mitzel, Leah (Andy) Campbell, Tara (Matt) Weber, Amber (Rob) Bartz, Wanda (Bryan) Schwab, Michael (Melissa) Wilmes, Chris (Lance) Larsen, Ross (Sara) Wilmes, Christopher (Sara) Wilmes, Erik Wilmes, and Lindsey (Ryan) Hahn; and 31 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, John; sisters, Leona Schneider and Eileen (Jerome) Gerving; in-laws, Ethelyn Wilmes, Pauline Wilmes, Gertrude O’Meara, Mary Ann Lindauere, Arnold (Betty) Weinzirl, Liz (Hope) Steele, and Maggie Weinzirl; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his mother and father-in-law; brothers and sisters, Glen (Margaret), Pauline (Lester) Schonert, Helen “Holly” Wilmes, Ray (Dorothy), Wilfred, Art, and Marion (Paul) Filibeck; in-laws, Rose Wilmes, Shirley Wilmes, Clarence Schneider, Joe (Ella) Weinzirl, Al (Mary) Weinzirl, Charlie Weinzirl, Teresa (John) Weisbeck, Margaret (Bernard) Nelson, Stella (Bernard) Geffre, Bob Lindauere, and Wilbur O’Meara; two great-grandchildren, Payton Campbell and Elijah Bartz.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Richardton Health Center, or to a charity of the donors choice.
