Stella Pullen

Wolford

Stella Shirley Pullen, 96, our beloved wife and mother of Fort Walton Beach, FL, passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on July 25, 2025. She will be laid to rest in her native North Dakota on August 15, 2025 at St. Luke’s cemetery near Coulee.

Stella was born on June 24, 1929 in Rugby ND and lived in nearby Wolford through high school. As a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa she enjoyed an extended family growing up. She had many reminisces of growing up on the prairie during the tough years of the Depression- short on material prosperity but rich in a loving family life.

Teaching was her calling. As a teenager she taught Sunday school at the Wolford Lutheran Church and later earned a teaching degree at Minot State Teachers College, working to meet tuition and help support her parents. While teaching at a one-room schoolhouse in Stave Township she met her future husband, Wayne. Three rambunctious sons and a long international adventure during Wayne’s 30 plus year military career followed. Two of her great joys were her family and oil painting. Mom and Dad spent their retirement years in Florida and traveled regularly to visit family.

Stella will be remembered by her family that includes loving husband Wayne, her three sons, three grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Stella has been embraced in heaven by her mother and stepdad, Mary and Andrew Halvorson, and three siblings Alice, Ernie, and Marylou.

Funeral Service: 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 15, 2025 at the Thomas Family Funeral Home in Minot with visitation one hour prior to the start of the service. Burial will follow our service at the funeral home.

Published by The Minot Daily News, August 13, 2025.