John Wander

John Jay Wander, 89, Moorhead, MN, formally of Waubun, MN, died Thursday, August 30, 2007 at St. Mary's Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, MN. John was born August 4, 1918, in Waubun, MN, to Leon and Mary (Winter) Wander. He grew up in the Waubun area where he attended Adams Country School. As a young man, John moved to California and worked as a lumberjack and a firefighter. In June of 1942, John enlisted in the United States Army, serving during WWII. On March 7, 1943, John was united in marriage to Elvira Dalman in Brownsville, TX. The couple made their home in Texas and following an honorable discharge in June of 1943, they moved to Portland, OR. While living in Portland, John worked as a welder in the shipyards. After a short time, John and Vera moved back to Waubun, where they raised their family. Over the years, John kept very busy and worked at a variety of jobs including driving school bus for 27 years, sheering sheep, a shoe shop repairman, heavy equipment operator, carpenter and mail carrier for 25 years. He retired in the late 1980's and he and Vera moved to Moorhead in 1993. John entered the St. Mary's Nursing Home in February of 2007 and Vera continues to live in Moorhead. John enjoyed bowling, hunting, fishing, playing horseshoes and loved golfing and playing cards, especially Cribbage. He also enjoyed traveling, tinkering as a mechanic and working as a carpenter. John was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Waubun and a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Moorhead. He also held memberships with the Knights of Columbus, the Eagle's, the American Legion and the VFW. John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Elvira, of Moorhead; three sons: Lloyd (Helen) of Venice, FL, Wayne (Pat), of Brainerd, MN, and Keith (Michelle), of Moorhead; one daughter, Eileen (Mike) Westemeier, of Aitken, MN; three sisters: Irene Hamm, of Portland, OR, Rosella Nelson, of Grantsburg, WI, and Hilma (Dennis) Hunt, of Detroit Lakes, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers: Archie, Leonard, Orville, and Walter; three sisters: Ella Fischer, Esther Stevenson, and Jeanette Dalman. Blessed be the memory of John Jay Wander.

John Wander

August 4, 1918 - August 30, 2007