Theodore "Ted" Novetzke

A livestream of Ted’s service will be available on this page shortly before it starts.

Theodore (Ted) Lee Novetzke passed away on November 30, 2023, at home under the care of his wife, family and Hospice. He was born September 9, 1949, the eldest child of Betty and Leon Novetzke. He was raised and educated in Wahpeton, ND. He attended St. John’s Catholic School, Richardton Abbey, and graduated from Wahpeton High School in 1967. Ted studied and learned to fly, receiving his FAA private pilot’s license at the age of 16, laying the foundation of his later military career. He also attended NDSCS and NDSU.

During the era shortly after WWII, his childhood was marked by faith, fresh air, and friendships. A typical first born, his three siblings recall his fearless pursuits of fast go-carts, water skiing, and trampolines. He knew how to squeeze the fun out of every experience. Family gatherings with many cousins brought joyful memories. Playing sports and neighborhood games, being an altar boy and having a paper route also shaped his childhood. He worked in the family business as well as doing chores, babysitting his siblings, and helping his Grandpa Leo. From the start, he had initiative. It was not enough to fix the problem, it needed to be optimal. Hard work grew the values that prevailed through his life.

There was an extra special bond between him and his grandfather, Ted Maher, his namesake. After Grandpa Ted’s early death, his Grandma Ollie and he spent countless hours together sharing a similar bond.

After attending St. John’s Catholic School for eight years, Ted went to Assumption Abbey in Richardton, ND for the first two years of high school. Returning to his hometown, he finished high school graduating from Wahpeton High School in 1967. He took an early interest in flying. Most families went on Sunday drives, but Ted’s dad thought an after-church plane ride followed by a treat at Bushee’s market was better. Therein the love of flying began.

Ted married his high school sweetheart Edith Thenagels in 1969. The young couple worked and attended college while raising their first child Brigette. During this time, Ted attended NDSCS for 2 years before the draft lottery picked his birthdate. Ted entered the US Army headed for Aviation Flight candidate school March 3, 1970. After 12 weeks of basic training, he was accepted into Warrant Officer School and Training. He ultimately earned the rank of CW3 Chief Warrant Officer, impressive for his age. At the time of being stationed at Fort Bragg, NC their second daughter Bonita was born.
He served a full tour in Viet Nam returning April 1972. Our country was very divided about our role in this fight. He told of his training and duty to the country while trying to make it home safely.

He belonged to the Cat Killer Pilot Unit. He flew OH-6 Loach Helicopters and a Bird Dog. He wore the Broken Wing Insignia based on an unplanned landing for some airframe failure. After Viet Nam he was headed home. The army mandated a Rotary Wing qualification, and he was stationed at 5th Corp Headquarters, Frankfurt West Germany. The family lived in Hanau, Germany near the airfield from 1972-1975.

While in Germany, his family had many adventures exploring Europe and Ted became competent in speaking German. He served in the North Dakota National Guard once he was back home. Ted was an avid supporter of the armed forces, a member of the VFW and loved his country dearly. The time he served forged many friendships that Ted maintained his whole life.

After being honorably discharged, he brought his young family back to Wahpeton, ND to run the family business . He owned partnership in Wahpeton Glass and Paint until 1988. During these years, he met and married Julie Cooper on September 17,1983 and gained two daughters, Lori and Jenifer. Ted and Julie were married for 40 years.

They built a beautiful home on 2nd Street and enjoyed many years taking their girls to the lakes and all the joys of raising daughters. Ted and Julie moved to the Twin Cities, and he continued working in the window business. He worked for SNE being a top seller of Crestline and Vetter windows.
Ted’s passionate determination to always improve things coupled with a clever, ingenious mind, he thought to create a new energy efficient and economical window. Building numerous prototypes, he forged that dream in the basement of their home. With determination and confidence in his newly designed window, he launched Vinylite Windows in 1995. He invested everything he had financially, physically, and emotionally. What started out in his basement grew and eventually the production as well as the corporate home was brought to the Fergus Falls, MN area.

Many employees and investors complemented the growth of the company, but the mainstay of the success came from Ted’s unique combination of perseverance and ingenuity. He and Julie were able to reap the benefits of the good fortune they earned and retired in 2009. This early success made him available to build relationships and lend a hand to family and friends alike.

Ted was always a trendsetter. If you received a gift from him, it was not just nice, it was special. A curious mind led Ted to be the first to own the latest and the greatest gadget. It was not the status, rather the innovation that went into this new thing that drew him. He often drove great cars. But true to his values, he happily cancelled the Corvette on order in lieu of a Griswold-mobile to transport his newly blended family.
Zest for fun was a trademark of Ted’s, particularly in his younger days. He could tell a story with great zeal and often was the life of the party. His athletic coordination was evident in his love of both water and snow skiing. One of several noteworthy ski trips he enjoyed was in the Alps in Germany. Early impressions left by his Grandpa Leo drew him to enjoy fishing on Battle Lake.

Ted liked including a grandchild on the boat as was his habit of carrying on traditions that helped to form his own character. The grandchildren as well as the nieces and nephews could always count on a stunningly exhilarating ride on the tubes behind his boat. He also became a voracious reader after retirement. None can forget Ted’s love for Golf! He enjoyed memberships at Red River Senior Golf, Henning Golf Club, and Balmoral Golf Club. He had a home in Arizona at Leisure World set alongside the golf course, a place he and Julie enjoyed for many years and loved hosting family and friends.
Certainly, his daughters will pass on the sage advice Ted offered. “Just step up to bat! If you never take a swing, you will never know if you could’ve hit a home run.” And “Sure, you will hit a few bumps in the road, but this is a long-distance race, not a sprint.” And of course, “Win the war, not the battle.”

Tending to matter of the heart as the years went on, was something Ted valued. He drew on the special bond he had with his own Grandpa Ted Maher. That relationship left a deep impression on Ted’s heart that carried on into his especially close relationship with his grandson Nicholas Braun. As with all of his kids and grandchildren, his dreams were that they knew their significance and potential, and certainly that they were loved dearly. Each beautiful child and grandchild evoked much pride and joy.

As he aged the importance of family and faith became evident in all his decisions. As the world continued to change, he often felt the desire to pass on the old-fashioned values of his youth. Ted had great determination and drive. Once he set his sight on a goal, he would push on and finish well. This was very evident in his last season as he wanted to see that his beloved Julie and family were secure. He faced that which was ahead with care, courage, and dignity.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Betty Lou and J. Leon Novetzke, grandparents Ted and Ollie Maher, Rose and Leo Novetzke; beloved in-laws Lawrence (Bill) and Gertrude (Trudie) Cooper; granddaughter Abigail Lauren Braun. He will be dearly missed and survived by his wife Julie Cooper Novetzke, daughters Brigette (Tom)Davis, Bonnie Martinson, Lori (Rick Kaufmann) Taylor, Jenifer Polipnick Braun. Grandchildren Dustin Fronk, Jordan Fronk, Karly Martinson, Evan Martinson and Nicholas Braun. Great Granddaughter Kinsley Rae Felsheim and a great grandson Baylor Dean Kiefer; his siblings Thomas (Kris) Novetzke, Julie (Ron) Woeste and Andrew Novetzke. Cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends are too numerous to list. Ted’s entire family is blessed to know how dearly loved he was by so many.

Visitation will be held at Sts. Anne & Joachim Catholic Church in Fargo on December 14, 2023, from 9:00am to 10:00 am with a Memorial Mass at 10:00am. Lunch and a time to reminisce will follow, then interment will be held at Fargo National Cemetery in rural Harwood, ND at 1:00pm. A full honors ceremony will be conducted by the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard and Active Duty Army Honors Detail to honor Ted’s time serving his country.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Gina, Krista and Natasha from Hospice of the Red River Valley for the exceptional care they provided Ted.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to Lend a Hand Up, the Salvation Army or a charity of your choice.