Gertrude (Trudy) Elaine Wippler of Lankin, N.D., age 90 passed away on Monday, April 20, 2026 at the Good Samaritan Society in Park River, ND.
Trudy was born on April 15, 1936, in Grafton, N.D. to Handy & Esther (Nelson) Lykken. Trudy was the middle child in a family of 5 daughters. They lived on a farm outside of Adams. Trudy graduated from Adams High School in 1954. Upon graduation she moved to Cavalier, ND and worked at First State Bank, then moved to Minneapolis and worked at a bank there.
She married Theo Vatnsdal on December 15, 1956 and lived on a farm in rural Hensel, ND. They had three children: Karen, Jeff, and Jerry. She was busy raising a family and did a marvelous job. Somehow Mom made it look easy. She was involved with all three children teaching Sunday School, Cub Scouts, going to piano recitals and more. We thank her for these things she lovingly did for us.
Trudy married Melvin (Mel) Wippler on Oct. 3, 1980. She was happy doing things for the community and her family and friends. Trudy was a member of the Fordville Lutheran Church and a member of the Lankin American Legion Auxiliary (Chaplain for many years). Good Samaritan was her final home for 18 months and she knew many of the staff and they enjoyed her as much as she did them. Trudy saw many world changes and lived a good long happy life.
Trudy is survived by her children: Karen Vatnsdal, Jeff (Jean) Vatnsdal, and Jerry (Melissa) Vatnsdal. Grand children: Gene Quinette, Tyler (Katie) Letzring, Blake Letzring, Melissa (John Wentzlaff) Vatnsdal, Cole Vatnsdal, Courtney Vatnsdal, Gavin Vatnsdal, Emily (Mitchell) Carr, 8 great grandchildren, and sister Lucy Bleakley. Trudy was proceeded in death by her parents, husband Mel, sisters LaVonne Hylden, Betty Webb, and Helene (Candy) Morstad.
Memorial Services will be on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 11:00am at the Fordville Lutheran Church of Fordville, ND. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at Kosobud Cemetery of rural Lankin, ND. In lieu of flowers, family request donations to Lankin Legion Bosh-Ryba Legion Post 157.
Trudy was born on April 15, 1936, in Grafton, N.D. to Handy & Esther (Nelson) Lykken. Trudy was the middle child in a family of 5 daughters. They lived on a farm outside of Adams. Trudy graduated from Adams High School in 1954. Upon graduation she moved to Cavalier, ND and worked at First State Bank, then moved to Minneapolis and worked at a bank there.
She married Theo Vatnsdal on December 15, 1956 and lived on a farm in rural Hensel, ND. They had three children: Karen, Jeff, and Jerry. She was busy raising a family and did a marvelous job. Somehow Mom made it look easy. She was involved with all three children teaching Sunday School, Cub Scouts, going to piano recitals and more. We thank her for these things she lovingly did for us.
Trudy married Melvin (Mel) Wippler on Oct. 3, 1980. She was happy doing things for the community and her family and friends. Trudy was a member of the Fordville Lutheran Church and a member of the Lankin American Legion Auxiliary (Chaplain for many years). Good Samaritan was her final home for 18 months and she knew many of the staff and they enjoyed her as much as she did them. Trudy saw many world changes and lived a good long happy life.
Trudy is survived by her children: Karen Vatnsdal, Jeff (Jean) Vatnsdal, and Jerry (Melissa) Vatnsdal. Grand children: Gene Quinette, Tyler (Katie) Letzring, Blake Letzring, Melissa (John Wentzlaff) Vatnsdal, Cole Vatnsdal, Courtney Vatnsdal, Gavin Vatnsdal, Emily (Mitchell) Carr, 8 great grandchildren, and sister Lucy Bleakley. Trudy was proceeded in death by her parents, husband Mel, sisters LaVonne Hylden, Betty Webb, and Helene (Candy) Morstad.
Memorial Services will be on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 11:00am at the Fordville Lutheran Church of Fordville, ND. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at Kosobud Cemetery of rural Lankin, ND. In lieu of flowers, family request donations to Lankin Legion Bosh-Ryba Legion Post 157.