From Benson County Farmers Press, June 11, 2003, page 12.

The funeral for John Wurgler, 83, of Rugby was held Thursday at the Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren, rural York. Interment was in the church cemetery. He died May 31 2003 at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby.

Pastor Steve Cameron officiated. Organist was Edie Wurgler. Special music was provided by Edie, Linda, Larry and Jim Wurgler. Military honors were accorded by the Clarence E. Larson American Legion Post 23 of Rugby. Casket bearers were Jimmy, Richard, Gene, Keith and Victor Wurgler and Ardell Loken. Honorary bearers were grandsons Steve Salmonson, Chris Wurgler, Jason and Jeffrey Axtman and Benjamin and Brock Haugeberg. The Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby was in charge of arrangements.

John Wurgler was born Feb. 8, 1920 in Twin Lake Township of Benson County to Alfred and Anna Marie Mueller Wurgler. He was educated at Twin Lake School No. 4. Following his education he worked on the family farm. On June 15, 1942 he enlisted in the US Army. He married Irene DeNora Loken Sept. 20, 1942 in Brownsville, Tex., where he was stationed. After his honorable discharge on Nov. 24, 1945, he returned to North Dakota. They lived in Baker, Knox, York and Rugby while he was a lineman with Baker Electric Co-operative. In 1956 they moved to Dunseith, where he owned and operated a Texaco station for 10 years. They returned to Rugby to own and operate the Enco Service Station. In February 1968 he started John's Standard Service which he owned and operated until 1976 when he went into partnership with his son, David. The station became known as john & Dave's Standard until John's retirement in 1984. She died Feb. 27, 2001.
He was a member of the Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren and served on its various boards. He enjoyed fishing and woodworking and took great pride in his yard and garden.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, David and Charolette Wurgler of Rugby; three daughters and sons-in-law, Joan and Stan Salmonson of Dunseith, Peggy and Marty Axtman of Kent, Wash. and Lynn and Mitch Haugeberg of Watford City; 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Otto Wurgler of Rugby; and five sisters, Hannah Wright of Blackfoot, Idaho, Elsie Eide of Rugby, Ida Hoime of Edmore, Marie Berg of Phoenix, Ariz. and Rosie Roed of Bismarck.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a sister, Wilma Loken; and eight brothers, Willie, Edward, Werner, Alfred, Hugo and Charlie Wurgler and infants Bennie and Glenn.

Supplied by Curtis Yri #48322430