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Sept. 29, 1930-Dec. 9, 2020
Walfrid B. Hankla, 90,
Minot, died Wednesday,
December 9, 2020, in a
Minot hospital.
Walfrid B. Hankla was
born on September 29,
1930 in Minot, the son of
Walter B. and Alice
(Samuelson) Hankla. He
was raised in Minot and
graduated from Minot
High School in 1948. The
following fall he entered
the University of North
Dakota. When he was a
junior at UND the out-
break of the Korean War
occurred. In December of
1950 he left the Universi-
ty and enlisted in the U.S.
Air Force. His service in-
cluded two-and-a-half
years in Germany with
the USAF SS, 41st RSM
(Radio Squadron Mobile).
He was honorably
discharged in January,
1955.
Wally returned to UND
in January of 1955 receiv-ing a Bachelor's Degree in
Business Administration,
and later in 1958 a Juris
Doctor in Law. While in
Law School, Wally met
Winnie Bergem, daughter
of Dr. and Mrs. Raymond
Bergem of Minot. They
were married on August
18, 1957.
Upon his graduation
from Law School, he
worked as Assistant
Counsel of the ND Leg-
islative Research Commit-tee in Bismarck. In the
spring of 1960, Wally and
Winnie moved to Minot
where he joined Richard
H. McGee and Bruce M.
VanSickle in the practice
of law. He remained with
this firm until January 1,
2001, when he retired
from the firm of McGee,
Hankla and Backes, P.C.
Wally was very active
in the Minot community
as well as in the legal
community. He was espe-
cially active in the Minot
Rotary Club (Board and
President), Ward County
Red Cross (Board), Norsk
Hostfest (Board), Hostfest
Heritage Foundation
(Board and Secretary),
Minot Area Community
Foundation (Board), First
National Bank (Board),
and Norwest Bank in
Minot (Local Board).
He was confirmed as a
child in First Lutheran
Church of Minot and as
an adult served on its
Board and as President of
the Church Council. He
was also a founding
member of the First Luth-
eran Foundation and
served as a Board Member
and as Secretary. He was
a board member and
President of the Minot
Country Club, a long-time
member and Exhalted
Ruler of the Minot Elks
Lodge, and a lifetime
member of the American
Legion.
In legal circles, Wally
served as President of the
Ward County Bar Associa-tion and chaired many
committees as a member
of the ND Bar Association.
He was a founding
member of the ND Coun-
cil of School Attorneys.
For many years, he
represented the ND State
Bar Association on the
North Dakota Judicial
Council. He was elected
as a Fellow of the Ameri-
can College of Probate
Counsel and served as the
State Chairman for North
Dakota. He was named in
"The Best Lawyers in
America" publication.
In later years, Wally
was selected to the Minot
High School "Wall of
Fame" recognizing out-
standing Minot High
School graduates.
Wally and his wife Win-
nie enjoyed traveling in
the US and abroad, and
for many years enjoyed
spending the winter
months in Hilton Head Is-
land, SC.
Wally was the rock of
his family and led by ex-
ample. He was loving, car-
ing and supportive hus-
band, father, grandfather
and great-grandfather.
Wally's loving family
includes his children,
Barbara Hankla, Brian
Hankla and Peter (JaMie)
Hankla all of Minot;
grandchildren, Lauren,
Aundrea, John and Sofia
Hankla;
great-granddaughter, Au-
rora along with numerous
nieces, nephews and
cousins.
Wally was preceded in
death by his parents and
beloved wife Winifred
Bergem Hankla.
Private Service: Due to
COVID, the family will
have a private service on
Monday, December 14,
2020, at 11:00 a.m. at First
Lutheran Church, Minot.
Livestream of the ser-
vice: To view the lives-
tream, please access
Wally's obituary on the
funeral home website.
Interment: Rosehill
Memorial Park, Minot.
Public Visitation: Sun-
day, December 13, 2020,
from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00
p.m. at the church.
Please follow social dis-
tancing guidelines and fa-
cial coverings are re-
quired.
Memories and con-
dolences can be shared at
www.thomasfamilyfunera
lhome.com.