Alton "Al" Kenneth Vick

Alton "Al" Kenneth Vick, 93, died peacefully on April 17, 2014, at the Baptist Health Care Center in Bismarck. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 12:00 Noon at the Baptist Health Care Center Chapel with Rev. Clyde Zimbelman officiating. Burial will be at 3:00 PM at the ND Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the care center. Alton was born on June 30, 1920, in Sheyenne, ND, to Knute O. and Sigurd Rude Vick. He lived most of his life in the Sheyenne area. After graduating from Sheyenne High School in 1937, he attended Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN, where he earned an associate of arts degree. Al joined the U.S. Army in January 1943 and served in England and the European mainland. He received and honorable discharge in October 1945. Four of Al's brothers also saw active duty during WWII; all five Vick brothers returned home safely. After his discharge, Al attended Dakota Business College in Fargo. On October 17, 1965, Al married Martha Hauser Wonnenberg and they made their home in Sheyenne until October 1998 when they moved to Bismarck. Al was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Bismarck. Al and Martha took great pride in their yard and garden and did not take kindly even to the most inconspicuous weed. And, thanks to Al, every garden row was as straight as an arrow. In addition to his passion for maintaining a picture-perfect yard and garden, Al read avidly and enjoyed a wide variety of books and magazines; he was especially fond of religious publications. Beginning in 1948 and for the next 37 years, Al served as one of Sheyenne's rural mail carriers. Because the area was not heavily populated, his routes often were more than 100 miles. Al took seriously the US postal Service's unofficial, but widely accepted motto: "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night…" North Dakota winters being what they are, fulfilling this motto required a special commitment to service. Al is survived by his stepdaughter, Arlene Wonnenberg Thoyre of Mosinee, WI. In addition, relatives of Al live in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago, and Homer, AK. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha; two stepsons, Lloyd and Eugene Wonnenberg; his parents; six brothers; and three sisters.

Alton "Al" Kenneth Vick

June 30, 1920 - April 17, 2014