Wade Westin

"Gentleman" Wade Westin, 34, Bismarck was welcomed to heaven on Feb. 13, 2009.

A funeral service to celebrate Wade's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009,,at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, located on the corner of Washington St. and Divide Ave., with the Rev. Jeff Tengesdal and Intern Pastor Craig Schweitzer officiating.

Visitation will be held from 12 p.m. until 9 p.m. today, Feb.17, 2009, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, N.D. There will be no public viewing at the church prior to the funeral service.

Wade was born to Harold and Lois (Tiegen) Westin on April 19, 1974, in Williston, N.D. He graduated from Grenora High School in 1992 and from the University of North Dakota in 1997.

Wade married the love of his life, Lesley Jacobson on June 28, 2003, in Medora, N.D. Wade and Lesley made their home in Bismarck and Medora and were blessed with two beautiful children, Hannah and Wyatt.

Wade touched the lives of countless people. Friends were made in many areas of his life from a childhood in northwest north Dakota that included participation in the "Zahl Samlingfest" and where he was active in athletics, band, choir, drama and speech to his college days at UND where he enjoyed being a member of the Goliards and the Varsity Bards.

Early in his career he worked in broadcast and advertising; his musical talent found him active in barbershop quartets and church worship bands and performing as a professional singer in several productions including shows in Branson, Missouri.

In 1999 Wade began a seven-year run as a member of the cast of the Medora Musical, including two years as the host. "Gentleman Wade" was less a stage name, than it was just the right description for a North Dakota man proud to be a part of a show he grew up watching each summer.

Since 2002 Wade was also the full time marketing and public relations director for the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation. His easy smile, pleasant and kind personality and Western style, made him the face and voice of Medora.

Wade was a gifted child of God whose greatest passion in his life was spending quality time with his family Lesley, Hannah and Wyatt. They enjoyed many things together, going on long walks and simply just being together. Wade brought such joy to his parents Lois and Harold.

Wade also enjoyed photography, mountain biking, hiking, golf and many outdoor activities. He was an amazing man who will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Wade is survived by his beautiful wife Lesley, daughter Hannah 3 and son Wyatt 2, his parents Harold and Lois Westin, Grandma Dagny Westin, Grandma Margaret Tiegen, countless friends and family who loved him dearly, and two cherished family dogs, Riley and Zoey.

Wade was preceded in death by his Grandpa William Westin, Grandpa Edwin Tiegen and his Aunt Eleanor Carlson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, P.O. Box 1696, Bismarck, N.D., 58503 or the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 106 Osage Avenue, Bismarck, N.D.

Go to www.parkwayfuneral.com to share memories of Wade and sign the online guestbook.

(Parkway Funeral Service)