Arthur A. Ternes

Arthur A. Ternes, 81, died unexpectedly at Linton Hospital on August 30, 2010. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 6, at Church of St. Anne, Bismarck, with Rev. Ed Wehner officiating. Internment and final blessings will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 7, at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm Sunday, September 5, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, where a vigil service will begin at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Art was born at his family’s home in rural Strasburg, North Dakota, on November 16, 1928 to John and Kathryn Ehli Ternes. He graduated from Strasburg High School and entered the U.S. Army Air Force in 1945. After serving his country and receiving an honorable discharge in 1948, he attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska where he met his wife Anne Loukota Wentz, and they were married in 1949, making their home in North Dakota. In 1950, Art began his 36-year career as a depot agent with the Soo Line Railroad. He was known for his attention to detail and his organizational abilities, as well as for his outgoing personality and love for music. He enjoyed dancing, bowling, pool, and playing pinochle. He and his family saw a lot of North Dakota as they moved around the state, living in more than 25 towns, including Drake, Crosby, Kenmare, Alkabo, Benedict, Riverdale Junction, Zeeland, Kintyre, and Napoleon. After retiring in 1986, Art moved back to Bismarck and more recently to the Strasburg Care Center. He is survived by his six children, Thomas Ruth Ternes of Eden Valley, MN; Tim Lee Ternes of Aztec, NM; John Gloria Ternes of Flora Vista, NM; Dr. Jerry Linda Ternes of Fountain Valley, CA; Dr. Constance Ritch Wells of La Canada, CA; and Colleen Chris Falletta of Covina, CA. He is also survived by his mother, Katie Ternes who just celebrated her 100th birthday at the Bismarck Baptist Home, his sister, Diane Mike Zainhofsky of Bismarck, his ex-wife Anne Wentz Covina, CA; 12 grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and five step great-grandchildren. He was especially close to his seven nieces and nephews and their families, Keith, Dorinda Eckroth, David, and Patrick Feist and Stephen, Suzanne South, and Sarah Pepka Zainhofsky. Art was preceded in death by his father, John Ternes; his sister Dolores Bill Feist; his infant sister, Antonia; and his grandson, Samuel Ternes.

Arthur A. Ternes

November 16, 1928 - August 30, 2010