Emmanuel Will
Emanuel Will, 89, of Elgin, ND, passed away January 24, 2023, at Jacobson Memorial Hospital, Elgin.
Funeral services were held Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Mountain Time at Hope Conservative Congregational Church, Elgin. Burial with military honors was held at 11:00 a.m. Central Time
on Monday, January 30, 2023, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery south of Mandan, ND.
Emanuel was born March 6, 1933, in Elgin, to Edward and Clara (Gunsch) Will. He grew up on the family farm North of Elgin and attended the Old New Leipzig School.
Emanuel was inducted into the US Army on May 15, 1953, serving during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged on May 13, 1955, at which time he returned to Elgin and began farming on the family farm.
On April 15, 1959, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Bentz. Emanuel and Dorothy made their home on the family farm planting small grains and raising cattle until his retirement in 2012.
While farming and raising cattle, Emanuel also worked for several local businesses over the years, including, bartending at Zacher’s Bar, driving milk truck for Duane Heidt Trucking and gas truck for the local Farmer’s Union-Cenex. Emanuel worked for many area farmers throughout his life, lastly at Pahl Farms.
Emanuel hauled cattle for area ranchers to weekly sales. He enjoyed sitting at the Sale Barn, telling stories, and meeting all sorts of people.
Perhaps some of his happiest times were while working as part of the “road crew” for local polka band, “The Pals.” Emanuel would set up and tear down, as well as handle the very delicate sound check for each performance.
Following Emanuel’s retirement in 2012, he took great pride in collecting toy tractors. He was adamant to collect the toy tractor of every large tractor he owned on the farm. Any opportunity Emanuel had to talk about his tractor collection he took.
Emanuel loved spending time with and sharing stories with Bailey and Bergen of life on the farm and his time in the service. He enjoyed polka music, opening presents, watching bull riding and WWE wrestling on Friday nights.
Emanuel was a member of the George W. Snook American Legion Post for 68 years; the Leipzig Township Fire Department; and served Hope Conservative Congregational Church, as a board member and usher for many years.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy; daughter and son-in-law, Darcy (Cletus) Ackerman; two grandchildren, Bailey Clara and Bergen Rose; sister Opal (Leonard) Roth; sisters-in-law, Marcella Will, Erma (Arlan) Bachmann, Elaine Roth (special friend Mike Haslid), Leona Hauck, Claudia Bentz, June Bentz and Audrey Bentz; brothersin- law, Ervin (Eleanor) Bentz and Vernon Veitz.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Clara Will, brother Ernest Will, sister Violet McIntire, sisters and brothers-in-law, Gertie (Ervin) Ottmar, Ardella Veitz, Marvin Hauck, Edgar, Milbert, Reinhold and Marvin Bentz; and in-law’s John and Lenora (Theurer) Bentz.
Condolences may be sent through our website at www.evansonjensenfuneralhome. com.