George A Wyum

George A. Wyum, age 90, of West Fargo, ND, died Thursday, March 29, 2018, in his home under care of Hospice.

George was born January 1, 1928, to A.C. and Lottie (Tennefos) Wyum on a farm near Rutland, ND and grew up in the Milnor, ND area graduating from Milnor High School before attending ND Agricultural College in Fargo for 2 years studying electrical engineering.  He then returned to the farm at Milnor and married Edith Ellefson at Wheaton, MN on December 9, 1949.  Why Wheaton?  They eloped.  The couple returned to the farm for a short while before buying the local variety and jewelry store where George made “the world’s best malts” and Edith claimed he was the “slowest soda jerk in the world”.

The store was sold when the local draft board drafted a married man into the Korean Conflict.  Edith and George went to Ft. Lewis, Washington, where both were instructors at the base.  Their oldest son, Dennis, was born there in May 1952.  After completing military service they returned to farming at Milnor and their second son, David, was born in February 1954.

In 1957, they left the farm and moved to the West Fargo area, where George held sales positions at a number of firms including: Standard Oil, Victor Leeby Co., Goldina Mills, Fargo Glass and Paint, and Dakota Lumber Company.

George started his real estate company, George A. Wyum, Broker, in his home in 1965.  His first rule of real estate was “You never go broke taking a profit.”  He enjoyed doing development work and there are multiple parts of West Fargo that exist due to the efforts of his real estate company.  He excelled at forming development groups of investors which allowed for bigger, more well-defined projects.  He also helped several local businesses get started in West Fargo.  His son, David, joined the company in 1985 and together they continued to work on development and sales, including some unique properties.

George never actually retired and was still making phone calls, setting up deals, and asking for listings even while in the hospital before returning home for the final time.

He had a sharp mind and wit, loved to golf, sing in the Faith Lutheran choir, read and watch science fiction, and paid close attention to world affairs and the stock market.  George also liked to spend time with friends including the poker group and the Taco Tuesday crowd.  At his home and office there was always a large container of chocolate candy to share and any food that contained cream and butter was good, especially his famous homemade oyster stew.

After Edith passed away in March 2004, George spent time with a special lady, Ardith Hoehn, who stood in front of him in the choir for years.  Ardith passed away suddenly in July 2017.

George is survived by: sons, Dennis (Virginia), of Zimmerman, MN and David (RhondaLyn), of West Fargo; granddaughters:  Brigett (Ben) Richel, Annette (Brent) Gustafson, Melinda Wyum (Johnathan Thomas), and Caroline Wyum; Great-granddaughters:  Brianna and Alyssa Richel and Regina Thomas.  He is also survived by his sister, Jeannine Jarret, and numerous nieces and nephews who all, individually, claimed that they were George’s favorite.  Ardith’s extended family also remain beloved family members.

Preceding him in death are his parents; Edith, his wife of 54 years; Ardith Hoehn, his companion for 13 years; his brother Truman; and many golfing and poker buddies.

He will be missed by all who knew him.

Visitation: Monday, April 2, 2018 from 5 to 7 PM at Faith Journey Lutheran Church, 2nd Ave Campus, West Fargo.

Funeral: Tuesday at 1 PM at Faith Journey Lutheran Church, 2nd Ave Campus, West Fargo with visitation one hour prior.

Burial: Lakeside Cemetery, Milnor.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

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