Theodore “Ted� Schimelfenig, age 86, of Carrington, ND, died Friday, April 25, 2014, at Carrington Health Center, Carrington, ND.

Ted was born to Charles and Cathren (Kunnanz) Schimelfenig on June 9, 1927, on the family farm near Goodrich, ND. He had five siblings, Lucille (William) Liebig; Floyd (Elaine); Cathren (Wesley) Faul; Agnes (Clyde) Leik; and Hazel “Dixie� Berg. He was not given a middle name because his mother said “Theodore� is long enough.�

At the age of nine, he went to work on area threshing crews, and by age 14, he was farming with his dad. At one point during his early teen years, Ted worked for a well driller who used a horse-drawn boring rig. During his young, single years, he enjoyed training and racing horses.

Ted married Yvonne “Vonnie� Hendrickson on June 28, 1953, in Grandfield Lutheran Church, rural Sheyenne, ND. Together, they raised six children on the family farm near Fessenden, ND, which he purchased from his parents in 1953. He continued to farm and ranch up until his death.

In the 1960’s, Ted bred and raised registered Angus cattle and managed a large herd of stock cows in addition to farming. In the early 1970s, he operated a 500 head hog operation. He took great pride in producing the livestock.

In 1970, he moved his family to Carrington, ND, and worked for C & A Leik Trucking for several years. During that time, he continued to farm. In 1976, Ted established Schimelfenig Well Drilling, Inc., which continued to be operated by him until his passing.

In the early 1980s, he became a partner in Gemini Oil, a company that did oil and gas exploration. Ted was instrumental for the wildcat exploration in Nelson County.

Ted was well known for his gift of dowsing or “witching� for water, oil and gas. It was typical for him to scout a site with specific dowsing tools for what he was looking for.

He loved and enjoyed his grandchildren. Ted gave every grandchild, when they were a baby, a special nickname. Most of those nicknames stayed with them into their adulthood.

Ted led by instruction. He taught us how to love and truly care for others, to live abundantly with what you have, to work hard and to constantly share your gifts and skills no matter how you feel or how old you get. Ted taught us how to love and enjoy life in all circumstances and to never give up. And, most importantly, how to smile and laugh even when circumstances are difficult.

Ted is survived by six children: Theresa Semmens and her fiancé, Jerry Wieber, Fargo, ND, Tommy (Peggy) Schimelfenig, Bowdon, ND, Carrie Krause, Bowdon, ND, Steven (Marlene) Schimelfenig, Bowdon, ND, Todd (Heather) Schimelfenig, Lincoln, NE, and Ron (Jana) Schimelfenig, Bowdon, ND; twelve grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and one sister, Agnes Leik, Kensal, ND.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Vonnie; his parents; four siblings, Lucille, Floyd, Cathren, and Hazel; and one grandson.
 

PRAYER SERVICE: Thursday 7PM in Evans Funeral Home, Cgtn

FUNERAL SERVICE: Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington, ND

DATE AND TIME: Friday, May 2, 2014 at 2:00PM

INTERMENT: Carrington Cemetery