Walfrid B. Hankla 1930-2020 Thursday, December 10, 2020
Walfrid B. Hankla, 90, Minot, died Wednesday, December 9, 2020 in a Minot hospital.
Walfrid B. Hankla was born on September 29, 1930 in Minot, the son of Walter B. and Alice (Samuelson) Hankla. He was raised in Minot and graduated from Minot High School in 1948. The following fall he entered the University of North Dakota. When he was a junior at UND the outbreak of the Korean War occurred. In December of 1950 he left the University and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. His service included 2 ½ years in Germany with the USAF SS, 41st RSM (Radio Squadron Mobile). He was honorably discharged in January 1955.
Wally returned to UND in January of 1955 receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, and later in 1958 a Juris Doctor in Law. While in Law School Wally met Winnie Bergem, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Bergem of Minot. They were married on August 18, 1957.
Upon his graduation from Law School he worked as Assistant Counsel of the ND Legislative Research Committee in Bismarck, ND. In the spring of 1960 Wally and Winnie moved to Minot where he joined Richard H. McGee and Bruce M. VanSickle in the practice of law. He remained with this firm until January 1, 2001 when he retired from the firm of McGee, Hankla and Backes, P.C.
Wally was very active in the Minot community as well as in the legal community. He was especially active in the Minot Rotary Club (Board and President), Ward County Red Cross (Board), Norsk Hostfest (Board), Hostfest Heritage Foundation (Board and Secretary), Minot Area Community Foundation (Board), First National Bank (Board), and Norwest Bank in Minot (Local Board). He was confirmed as a child in First Lutheran Church of Minot and as an adult served on its Board and as President of the Church Council. He was also a founding member of the First Lutheran Foundation and served as a Board Member and as Secretary. He was a board member and President of the Minot Country Club, a long-time member and Exhalted Ruler of the Minot Elks Lodge, and a lifetime member of the American Legion.
In legal circles Wally served as President of the Ward County Bar Association and chaired many committees as a member of the ND Bar Association. He was a founding member of the ND Council of School Attorneys. For many years he represented the ND State Bar Association on the North Dakota Judicial Council. He was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Probate Counsel and served as the State Chairman for North Dakota. He was named in “The Best Lawyers in America” publication.
In later years, Wally was selected to the Minot High School “Wall of Fame” recognizing outstanding Minot High School graduates.
Wally and his wife Winnie enjoyed traveling in the US and abroad, and for many years enjoyed spending the winter months in Hilton Head Island, SC.
Wally was the rock of his family and led by example. He was a loving, caring and supportive husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Wally’s loving family includes his children, Barbara Hankla, Brian Hankla and Peter (JaMie) Hankla all of Minot; grandchildren, Lauren, Aundrea, John and Sofia Hankla; great-granddaughter, Aurora along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Wally was preceded in death by his parents and beloved wife Winifred Bergem Hankla.
Private Service: Due to COVID, the family will have a private service on Monday, December 14, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, Minot.
Livestream of the service: To view the livestream, please access www.firstlutheran.tv
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Pubic Visitation: Sunday, December 13, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the church.
Please follow social distancing guidelines and facial coverings are required.
Funeral Home Link: https://www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com/obituary/walfrid-hankla