Victor Welk
August 17, 1926 ~ August 18, 2012
Victor Welk died peacefully at home in his sleep on August 18, 2012 after celebrating his 86th birthday.
Vic was born on a farm outside of Hague, ND on August 17, 1926 to Gabriel and Mary (Welder) Welk, and was the oldest of 13 children. He attended NDSU, served in the U.S. Army and graduated from Dakota Business College where he studied accounting. He worked for Kovash Construction in Dickinson prior to beginning his career with Fargo Glass & Paint Company in 1958. Vic managed the credit department until his retirement in 1991. Upon his retirement, Vic went to work part-time at Tri-State (Adasa) Auction.
Vic married Darlene Johnson on October 9, 1957 in Fargo. Vic was a lifelong member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and the Elk’s Club. Vic’s passions in life were his family and friends. He and Darlene loved to polka, waltz and enjoy old time music. Vic loved to play the accordion and would entertain at various functions throughout the years until his fingers would no longer cooperate. Vic was happiest doing lawn work and projects around the house or helping out a neighbor, friend or family member.
Vic was especially proud of his children and grandchildren and enjoyed following them in any event, sport or special moment in their lives.
Vic was preceded in death by his wife Darlene, his parents, brothers Bill, Francis, Harvey and Chuck and sisters Rosie, Florence and Lena. He is survived by his children Keith (Vicki), Dean (Annette), and Debra, grandchildren Kelsey (Dan) Dardis, Justin, Jennifer and Rachael. He is also survived by his brothers Paul and Jerome and sisters Angie, Doris and Kathy as well as numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
Memorials preferred to Holy Spirit Church or Holy Cross Cemetery.
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I remember helping Vic during my years at Sellands/Luther. We would exchange stories since we were both originally from the same area.
Katy TXDean – I’m sorry for your loss. I never met your dad in person, but the comments above tell the story of a wonderful man!
Mansfield TXDearest Deb,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! I am sorry that I just learned of your father’s passing as I was out of the office last week.
May you find peace and strength in these days.
Otsego MN
Deb & Family ~
I only had the pleasure of spending time with with your dad a few times but he had a big impact on me. His hospitality and big heart drew me in from the beginning. He was a funny and charming man that told great stories. I will always smile when I think of the trips to Fargo – where we would stay at his house, hang out on the patio, listen to his funny Debbie stories and of course try the “hooch” 🙂
I am so sorry for your loss and I hope you can take comfort in knowing he is now with your mom ~ I know they are both smiling down on all of you~
APO AETo the Welk Family: I remember Vic from my father, Levi’s, comments when he worked at Fargo Glass & Paint. My sincere condolences and wishing you all the best during this time of rememberance.
Westlake Village CADear Keith, Dean, and Debbie,
I am a first cousin of your father, Victor.
And I met my husband, Jim Kline, in Fargo when I was a teacher at the Washington School in 1955. He was working for Strauss Brothers Clothing Store and your father bought a suit from him during this time. So both of us had a special acquaintance with yout father. And I saw him more frequently when I attended the Welk reunions in Bismarck…always one of my favorite cousins.
And my husband was aware of your father’s passing away before he died on August 20.
May the special things about your father live on in your hearts forever.
With deepest sympathy,
Dolores Welk Kline
Please accept my condolences. May you rely on the God of all comfort at this time.(1Corinthians 1:3,4) May you also find comfort in the hope of seeing your loved one again by means of the resurrection John 5:28,29 and Acts 24:15)
Keith, Dean and Debbie
I am sorry to hear of the loss of Vic. He was a wonderful uncle and a great man. He will be missed.
Bismarck ND
My thoughts and prayers are with the Welk family. I am so sorry for your loss.
Baytown TexasDear Debbie, Keith and Dean,
Our deepest sympathies go out to your families. Your father was one of a kind – he was a lover of a good joke, kind neighbor and friend to our family and had incredible gardening skills.
There are many stories that come to mind with your father as the central theme. One was how he mowed his lawn – it wasn’t the typical horizontal lines. I personally am of the opinion that your father was responsible for the first rendition of the mysterious crop circles.
Your father always had time to share a drink with my parents or to stop by when one of us came for a visit. On one occasion your father drove to Rochester to pick me (Teresa) up and drive me to Fargo for a visit.
Lastly, Colleen still looks out her window and tells my sister she sees Victor across the street. Mary will ask how she knows it’s Victor and Colleen answers, “Look at his white legs.”
We will miss him.
Colleen Witt, Mary and Billy Brewer, Jon and Linda Witt and Teresa Witt
Fargo ND
My deepest sympathies to the family of Victor Welk. If a mans success is measured by his family, Victor was indeed a very rich man!
Gastonia NCKeith, Vicki and Family: We are thinking of all of you at this difficult time.
Laurie and Dan
Dean and Annette–Our condolences on the loss of your father and father-in-law. Our most vivid memories of your dad are gliding across the dance floor at the Savageau family weddings. He was always the best dancer out there! We are so sorry for your loss.
Tom and Rachel
Spring TexasKeith, Dean and Debbie,
Your dad was a wonderful brother to my mom and uncle to all of us. I will always remember uncle Vic’s twinkling blue eyes, mischieviousness (especially with mom), his accordion playing and his wet, sloppy kisses. I am glad Samantha got to meet her “great uncle” last fall—he was truly a great man and he touched many lives!
Appleton WIAs I just told Dean, Victor had a great life. Great wife, great kids and grandkids, great family.
I have not spent a lot of time in Fargo in a long time, but seeing Victor was always a pleasure. A wonderful man.
Celebrate Vicors life. He did it better than most and he passed in the peace of his own bed. Not bad.
Take care all!
Mark Z
Harwood ND
Dean, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. I always liked talking to him when he came in the office to see you. With sympathy, Patty Larson
Harwood ND
Dean, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. I always liked talking to him when he came in the office to see you. With sympathy, Patty Larson
New Salisbury IndianaSorry to hear about your Dad, he was always fun, and quick with a laugh. We will be praying for your family.
Jamestown North Dakota
Dear family of Victor,
It is with a heavy heart that we send our condolences on the passing of your father, grandfather, brother,friend and our cousin. We had full intentions of attending services to honor all of you, however, sadly, tonight we received word that our own family has had a sudden and unexpected death. Your cousin, Dolores Welk-Kline has lost her husband today to a heart attack and we will be leaving to attend the funeral in California. Know that our hearts are sad for our cousin, Victor, who we always remember with a ready smile and happy personality. May memories comfort all of you. In deepest sympathy,
Cousin, Loretta Welk-Jung and Ollie Jung
Minnesota
I was shocked and saddened to hear about Uncle Victor’s death. I have many fond memories of visiting their house when I was a child and staying down in the basement. I too will miss him. He was one of my favorite uncles.
Thornton COI’ll always think of Uncle Vic playing his accordian… I loved seeing him at those family get-togethers!
My sympathies for your loss. May your memories far outweigh the sadness of these days.
Deb,
Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you. Truly sorry for your loss! –Marie Henning
Princeville HawaiiWarm condolences to all of the
Victor Welk family and relatives.
May the joys of heaven be Victor’s
reward for all his efforts to live
responsibly.
Angeline
A truly nice man. Vic will be missed.
Fargo ND
We’ve lost a good friend and will miss him much.
Parker CoKeith, Dean, and Debbie
So sorry to hear about Uncle Victor. Your mom and dad were both such wonderful people. I have many fond memories of your parents. I will always be especially grateful to them both for being with us when mom passed away. It meant so much to mom and to our family to have her big brother with us sharing stories of when they were growing up. Having your mom and dad with us during those final hours made everyone feel comforted. Today is David’s Birthday, so this will be a day I always remember and reflect upon. You and your families are in my prayers.