1948
Stephen
2011
Stephen Wiziarde
August 17, 1948 — August 10, 2011
Steve Wiziarde was born August 17th, 1948 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Jack, Jr. and Jean (Dunn) Wiziarde. He graduated high school from Larkin High in Elgin, Illinois in 1966. He joined the Air Force later that year and served a combat tour in Vietnam in 1968/69, settling in Grand Forks, ND after his Honorable discharge from the Military in 1970.
He attended the University of North Dakota and various flight training schools around the country as he began living his dream of a career in flying. He had his first solo flight on July 12, 1965 and began working for West Central Airways in Fergus Falls on April 15, 1975. During his years as a pilot, Steve loved flying all kinds of General Aviation Aircraft. He was licensed as a Commercial Pilot, multi-engine rating, instrument rating, Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic, certified ground instructor, certified flight instructor, and he introduced many people in and around Fergus Falls to flying. Steve especially enjoyed piloting for corporate customers, including thousands of hours piloting for Ottertail Power Company. He also enjoyed planes equipped with skis or pontoons, piloting for sky-diving groups, and even spraying crops or doing aerial inspection of power lines. He was also the airshow coordinator for several years for the Airfest Airshows at the Fergus Falls Airport. He most fondly remembered piloting numerous fishing trips into the Canadian wilderness, including two with his brother, Mike.
When he could no longer fly commercially due to injury, he headed back to college and earned a degree as a Registered Nurse from the Fergus Falls Community College. He worked as a Psychiatric RN until his retirement.
He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Fergus Falls for many years, and also became a member of the West Fargo VFW and attended the DAV. He especially loved playing cards with his friends. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and golfer.
He is survived by his wife, Diana Hall of West Fargo; his former wife Pauline Drechsel, and their two children Karen (Jeremy) Pederson of St. Cloud, and Cheryl (Chris) Anderson of Fergus Falls. He is also survived by his step-daughters Stephanie (Tim Kunze) Bye of Grand Forks and Anaka (Colin) Froelich of Kansas City. He had seven much-loved grandchildren; and his constant companion, Cody, remained by his side. His is also survived by his best friend and only sibling, Michael Wiziarde. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Jean Wiziarde.
Steve died of pancreatic cancer, and was lovingly supported by his family and friends until his death. Online condolences may be made at his Facebook page.
Visitation and Remembrance will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 pm with a family veteran's memorial at 7:30 pm at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls. Please come and share a fond memory or photo of Steve.
He attended the University of North Dakota and various flight training schools around the country as he began living his dream of a career in flying. He had his first solo flight on July 12, 1965 and began working for West Central Airways in Fergus Falls on April 15, 1975. During his years as a pilot, Steve loved flying all kinds of General Aviation Aircraft. He was licensed as a Commercial Pilot, multi-engine rating, instrument rating, Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic, certified ground instructor, certified flight instructor, and he introduced many people in and around Fergus Falls to flying. Steve especially enjoyed piloting for corporate customers, including thousands of hours piloting for Ottertail Power Company. He also enjoyed planes equipped with skis or pontoons, piloting for sky-diving groups, and even spraying crops or doing aerial inspection of power lines. He was also the airshow coordinator for several years for the Airfest Airshows at the Fergus Falls Airport. He most fondly remembered piloting numerous fishing trips into the Canadian wilderness, including two with his brother, Mike.
When he could no longer fly commercially due to injury, he headed back to college and earned a degree as a Registered Nurse from the Fergus Falls Community College. He worked as a Psychiatric RN until his retirement.
He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Fergus Falls for many years, and also became a member of the West Fargo VFW and attended the DAV. He especially loved playing cards with his friends. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and golfer.
He is survived by his wife, Diana Hall of West Fargo; his former wife Pauline Drechsel, and their two children Karen (Jeremy) Pederson of St. Cloud, and Cheryl (Chris) Anderson of Fergus Falls. He is also survived by his step-daughters Stephanie (Tim Kunze) Bye of Grand Forks and Anaka (Colin) Froelich of Kansas City. He had seven much-loved grandchildren; and his constant companion, Cody, remained by his side. His is also survived by his best friend and only sibling, Michael Wiziarde. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Jean Wiziarde.
Steve died of pancreatic cancer, and was lovingly supported by his family and friends until his death. Online condolences may be made at his Facebook page.
Visitation and Remembrance will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 pm with a family veteran's memorial at 7:30 pm at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls. Please come and share a fond memory or photo of Steve.
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