Sterling Weiker, 94, of Cando, ND, passed away Friday, December 27, 2013, at the Towner County Medical Center of Cando.

Sterling Weiker (94) was born November 16, 1919 to Simmie and Margaret (Dix) Weiker in Cando, ND. He was born on the family farm in the home Sheila and Jerry Laturnus live in today. Sterling graduated from Cando High School in 1937. After high school he worked on the farm for a couple of years and then was employed with Arne Tang in the Cando Creamery from 1939-1940. At that time he took a short course in ice cream making at the University of Minnesota, and then came back to be the first to practice that skill in the area. Sterling then moved to Spokane, WA where he worked for Inland Empire Dairy as a plant inspector until he joined the Army Air Force in January of 1942. Sterling spent three years, eight months, and 19 days in the 354 ^th Material Squadron serving his country during WWII. He was a farmer for many years before he started working for the Towner County Soil Conservation Service from 1954–1982. He also continued farming their land until 1980. Even after his retirement, he still remained hard at work helping farmers, working for the ASC office measuring grain bins, and serving as a county commissioner. Sterling lived a very full life. He enjoyed fishing, spending time at their cabin, wintering in Arizona for 22 years, and attending all family events. He also was very active in his church serving as an usher, on the parish council, serving on the cemetery board, and planting and watering many trees to beautify the cemetery. He was a member of the Cando American Legion and a lifetime member of the VFW.

Sterling married Elsie Kufner on November 14, 1945 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cando. They spent the next 68 years together hand in hand. They became the parents of four children; Margaret Kay (Tim) Hoff, Donald Weiker, Marla (Wynn) Allen, and Sheila (Jerry) Laturnus. From these unions, came 10 grandchildren; Jeana (Mitch) Jorde, Donald (Jennifer) Weiker, Melissa (Kerry) Campbell, Katy Hoff and fiancé, Justin Marty, Paul (Alicia) Laturnus, Leanne (Joshua) Bilger, Tara (Matt) Pistilli, Sara (Steve) Buresh, Jill Laturnus, and Emily Laturnus. Their grandchildren then gave them 11 great-grandchildren. Sterling was also blessed with four nephews, Robert (Jo Lea) Metz, Kenneth (Barbara) Metz, Orval (Kay) Hanson, and William (Marylon) Hanson.

Sterling was preceded in death by his parents, Simmie and Margaret Weiker; his sister, Florence Drier; and nephew, Robert Metz.

Sterling passed away on Friday, December 27, 2013 at the Towner County Medical Center in Cando, ND. He was surrounded with love by God and his family. The family would like to thank those who took such good care of him during his stay at the hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, Jan. 3rd, 2014 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cando at 10:30 a.m. Father Joseph D'Aco will celebrate the Mass. Visitation will be Thursday, January 2nd from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home, Cando, ND followed by a Vigil Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Cando. Visitation will also continue on Friday for one hour prior to the services in the church. Casket bearers will be Paul Laturnus, Donald Weiker, Mitch Jorde, Kerry Campbell, Matt Pistilli, Steve Buresh, Justin Marty and JoshuaBilger. Music will be from Gladys Fluge, Gene Rosinski, Jill Laturnus, Emily Laturnus and the Sacred Heart Choir. Military Honors will be provided by the Hal Parker Post #79 Cando American Legion and North Dakota Military Funeral Honors.

My sympathy to the Weiker  family.  Your Dad was one of my mother's good friends through their many years of working together and my folks always spoke so highly of both your parents.  It was great to speak with your dad at the last big reunion in  Cando.  I will include you all in my prayers. Karen Newman Midgarden

Sincere sympathy to your family on the loss of your husband, dad, grandfather and great grandpa.  May you gain the strength from God to get through this trying time. Margaret (Humble) Schmidt, Vincent Humble , & Lois (Humble) Meyer and families

My memories of Sterling...

- The summer evening "putt putt" as he worked his summerfallow after a full day of work.

- Leading us through our Zion Livestock 4-H pledge for years.

- Pretending he wouldn't share his Apple Butter during after-church coffee and toast on the farm.

- The barn that still stand testament to his craftsmanship on the farmstead...