Thurman R. Wetteland Jr

Thurman R. Wetteland Jr. age 86 of Detroit Lakes, MN died March 26, 2020 at his residence under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Thurman Richard Wetteland was born July 27, 1933 in Audubon, MN to Thurman and Hulda (Hanson) Wetteland. He grew up and received his education in Audubon, MN, graduating from Audubon High School in 1951. He then attended the University of Minnesota Duluth for a year, before transferring to Moorhead State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Studies. He then taught school in Elk River, MN. While teaching in Elk River he also attended St. Cloud State University, where he earned his master’s degree in Special Education Administration. On July 18, 1964 he was united in marriage to Vaida Sivertson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes. They made their home Anoka, MN. They moved to Detroit Lakes in 1972 when Thurman was hired as a Coordinator for the Becker- Clay Special Education Cooperative. Later he helped to create the Lake Agassiz Special Education Cooperative, where he worked as the Director of Special Education for seventeen years, retiring in 1996.

Thurman enjoyed gardening, traveling, (Yellowstone Park being a favorite of his), and driving and maintaining his 1929 Model A, (Which was similar to the first car he ever owned). Because his father ran the grocery store in Audubon and worked for the L.J. Norby Co. in the grocery dept, Thurman always had a fondness for grocery stores. His family would lovingly tease that “Thurman never saw a grocery store he didn’t like”. He was also very proud of his Norwegian heritage. Lutefisk at Christmas time was a favorite of his. Spending time with family was very important to him.

He is survived by two daughters, Jennifer (Mike) Brunsberg, of Wadena, MN; and Melinda (Dan Messman) Wetteland, of Anoka, MN; two grandchildren, Johanna and Bjorn Brunsberg; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vaida; three sisters, Shirley Steinhaus, Jean Meier, and Elizabeth Utke; and his parents.

A celebration of Thurman’s life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, MN at a later date. Memorials are preferred at the time of the service. Arrangements have been entrusted to the West-Kjos Funeral Home of Detroit Lakes.