Thorhult – George “Shorty” Wikert, 89, of Thorhult, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 4, 2022 at LifeCare Greenbush Manor.
George Junior Wikert “Shorty” was born on June 4, 1933 at home in Steenerson Township, Thorhult, the son of Fred and Francis (Holthusen) Wikert. He was baptized on December 25, 1940 by Pastor N.F Seebach at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Grygla. His sponsors were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Holthusen. He attended 1st through 8th grade at Sand Ridge Country School, Thorhult and attended Goodridge High School for one to two years.
George was ordered to report to the Armory in Bemidji for an Armed Forces physical examination for the Selective Service on January 22, 1953. George was drafted into the United States Navy. He attended his basic training at the U.S. Naval Training Center in San Diego, CA. George said he did not know how to swim when he entered the service. He stated they got pushed into the water and pulled out until they eventually learned how to swim. It was not a very pleasant way to learn. The ledge they were pushed off was not a 10 or 20 foot drop either. But he said he did learn how after a few pushes. George’s time in the Navy was from December 2, 1955–September 10, 1957. He served in Alaska, California and Hawaii. Shorty worked as a Deckhand and then onto a Full Sea Man (which is 3 stripes).
Shorty served on two ships, Eldorado (which was an officers and communications ship) and the USS Oak Hill (which was a very big ship and it transported equipment, carrying three small ships inside or drag lines, backhoes, or Caterpillars). He helped with building the first Air Force Base in Hawaii and he also transported equipment by ship to Hawaii. He made many new friends during this time. He enjoyed seeing new places and learning much. Shorty spoke fondly of his time spent and the experiences he had. He was Honorably Discharged from active duty in 1957 and then served the reserves on September 10, 1958 until December 1, 1961.
After returning home from the service in 1958, Shorty started working for Holthusen Construction as a heavy equipment operator until his retirement. He also farmed, raising 60 head of sheep and 25 head of Hereford beef cows. In the spring of 1989 he had a Hereford cow that delivered triplet calves and they all survived with Shorty’s TLC.
On February 4, 1969 Shorty married Carol Kujanson in Webster, SD. He and Carol were confirmed together on May 6, 1990 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Grygla, by Percy Smerek. George and Carol enjoyed 35 years of marriage together. After losing the love of his life, Carol, on October 2, 2004, Shorty started a part-time job with the City of Grygla, mowing grass, and helping with the ice arena. He very much enjoyed this job for several years.
He enjoyed gardening, hunting, four-wheeling, cooking, sheep and beef cattle, putting puzzles together, reading Westerns and Hunting magazines.
Shorty was a member of Fourtown Sportsmans Club, served as Chairman for Steenerson Township, Beltrami Co., for 20 years, Veteran, and was a member of Our Savior’s Church, rural Grygla.
He is survived by his sister, Lorraine Finden of Champlin; brother, Billy (Phyllis) Wikert, Grygla; and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Carol; parents; grandparents; sisters, Arlene (Bud) Froseth, and Darlene (Bob) Phillips; brother-in-law, George Finden; and a great nephew, Billijack Boyer.
Shorty will always be remembered as a very quiet and kind man with a warm smile.
The service to celebrate Shorty’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 11, 2022 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, rural Grygla, with Vicar Marilyn Grafstrom officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial will follow at Rosebud Cemetery, Steenerson Township, Beltrami County.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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