Ward E. Whitman, 94, Robinson, ND, passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at CHI-St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck, ND.  Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 25, 2021 at Concordia Lutheran Church, rural Fessenden, ND.  Pastor Pauline Crowder will officiate and burial will be at 3:00 p.m. Monday at Bethany Cemetery, Robinson, ND.  Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Nelson Funeral Home, Fessenden, ND.  The funeral will be livestreamed at https://youtu.be/vCopYM9uigo

Ward Emerson Whitman was born the fifth of six brothers to early North Dakota homesteaders, Frank R. and Marion (Russ) Whitman on May 29, 1927, in Bismarck, North Dakota. He was baptized at the Robinson Methodist Church, the church that he supported throughout his life. Ward grew up on the Whitman farm/ranch learning along with his older brothers that hard work pays off, and can create lots of excitement. There were horses to race, skunks and ducks to hunt, Fords to commandeer, even teachers to believe and admire—Mrs. Jesse Elton for one, which was at the country school two miles from home. Later, at Robinson High School, Elmer Goffe was an inspiration. Ward quoted "Goffe" throughout his life.

Following many of the patriotic young men in those days, Ward served in the US Navy for a short while near the end of WWII. He was soon back in North Dakota taking Ag classes at the Agricultural College. He settled into managing the farm with his dad who was disabled. His brothers had settled with their families close by and they worked together often. Some of his employees became long time friends.

There was a certain teacher with whom Ward made an effort to get acquainted. He also made an impression. Ward married the teacher, Edith Anne Mahin, on August 4, 1951 at the Crystal Springs Methodist Church. They made their home on the Whitman farm. Ward and Edith became the parents to five daughters who loved the farm life, and who participated in all phases of it. Ward was a great Dad. Beside teaching valuable life skills, he always furnished fun activities—horses to ride, bikes and snowmobiles, boating and water skiing, even planes to fly. Four of the five became licensed pilots. He afforded each of them a good education.

In time Ward purchased the farm and enlarged it, earning awards for good practices, along with being a crop spraying pilot, township clerk, school board member, member of the ND Flying Farmers, and serving on the BEK Telephone Board of directors for 12 years. He was a member of the ND Aeronautics Commission for ten years, and was vice president of the Board of Directors of Bismarck State Bank after helping to charter the bank. Ward served on the North Dakota Beef Commission to assist the beef industry in the state.

In the difficult farm years, Ward subsidized by developing properties in Burleigh and Wells Counties in North Dakota as well as in Orange County Florida while maintaining a home there for nearly 30 years. He and two of his brothers, with their Dad, even prospected for uranium in Western North Dakota. He flew many cross country trips to Florida and other parts of the US, and to Canada and the Bahamas, and he gave many Kidder Countians their first plane ride, some in dire need of getting to medical help during blocked roads. Through all the years, North Dakota was home.

Ward is survived by his wife of 70 years, Edith Anne Whitman, Robinson; daughters, Anne (William) Ongstad, Robinson, Kay (Kenneth) Jongsma, Bismarck, Sharon (Dr. Charles) Nyhus, Harvey, and Lynne (Gerald) Klindworth, Fessenden; son-in-law, Darwin (Leisa) Peterson, Antler, ND; also 15 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Ward was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Shelly Rae Peterson, grand-daughter, Miriam Ongstad, and brothers Glen, Allen, Harold, Frank, and Paul Whitman.

Masks will be provided and strongly encouraged for the protection of those more vulnerable.