Glenn A. Wildung

Glenn Alfred Wildung, 95, passed away on Friday, October 14^th, 2016 in Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana from natural causes. He was born on a homestead east of Winifred, Montana on July 10, 1921 to Emma (Overby) and delivered by his father, Edward C. Wildung, he lived nearly all of his life in that community. Beginning at age six Glenn worked for area ranchers, checking cows and herding sheep. He also worked with his father and brother Lea at the Stafford’s garden on the Missouri River.

   After graduating from Winifred High School in 1939, he worked at the Farmers Co-op in town, becoming manager in September. In 1944 he was drafted into the army as a military police (Staff Sergeant) with the US Army Signal Corps, serving for two and a half years.   Glenn returned home after the war and resumed his work as manager of the Winifred farmers Oil Company (Cenex).

   Glenn met his future wife, Donelda (Doni) Karnopp at his brother Lea and sister-in-law Ida’s wedding in Tigerton, Wisconsin in 1957. After a brief long-distance courtship, Glenn married Doni in Thorp, Wisconsin in 1958. They moved to Montana where they lived two-and-a-half miles south of Winifred, later moving to town. The couple had four children: Karen, Carlene, Scott, and Diane. The family often traveled to Minnesota and Wisconsin during summers to visit members of the Karnopp and Wildung families. Glenn and Doni also traveled on work-related trips and to Germany. They were married for 57 years.

   Very dedicated to his work, Glenn worked six and sometimes seven days a week to provide the services needed by area ranchers and farmers. This was before credit card gas pumps; Glenn often got a phone call in the middle of the night when someone ran out of gas and he’d go downtown and open up the “station.” Glenn drove his farm truck to Billings or Great Falls to regularly pick up supplies for the Cenex, taking one or two of his children along with him to help keep him awake during his long haul home. He delivered fuel to rural customers and fixed tractor tires, and after the PN Bridge was built in 1982, served customers across the Missouri River. Glenn retired in 1989 and was proud that patrons received a dividend on their purchases with the cooperative during every one of his 50 years as manager.

   Glenn was a lifelong member of the American Lutheran Church, serving on the board for over 25 years; was the American Legion Post No. 120’s (Winifred) longest standing member at 72 years; was a member of the Winifred City Council; served on the Montana Board of the Council of Cooperatives; and was a 30-year member of the Winifred Rifle Club.

   Glenn enjoyed sports. He played basketball and was on the track team, qualifying for State in discus and shot put, during high school and also played basketball and baseball on city teams after graduation. He especially enjoyed supporting his children and grandchildren in their athletic pursuits and was particularly loyal to Red Raider teams, never missing a game or a tournament until later years. Glenn attended games with his brother Lea, sister Joyce, and his children and grandchildren. He was also a champion horseshoe thrower.

     Glenn is survived by his four children, ten grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren: Karen Reinhart of Gardiner, MT, children Emma (Trevor) Hamilton, Forrest, and Mariah; Carlene (Harris) Davis of Billings, MT, children Ashley and Levi Heller (Emily and daughter Birkleigh and son Brexton); Scott (Tracy) of Stanford, MT, children Seth (Autumn and daughter Amery) and Luke; and Diane Harper of Billings, MT, children Marcus, Meghan (son Cain), and Tyson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

     Glenn was preceded in death by his wife, Donelda, mother and father, two brothers, Edward and Lea; and four sisters, Agnes, Jeanette, Louise (Butcher), and Joyce (Hoffman).

     Funeral services for Glenn Alfred Wildung will be at 1:00 PM on Sunday, October 30, 2016 in the American Lutheran Church in Winifred with interment to follow in the Winifred Cemetery. The Cloyd Funeral home is assisting the family.

     Friends are asked to make memorials to the American Lutheran Church of Winifred or the charity of their choice. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com