Wilfred Kakela

Wilfred (Kak) Kakela, 91, of Langdon, ND, passed away March 31, 2012, at the Cavalier County Memorial Hospital of Langdon, ND.

Wilfred was born August 15, 1920, to John and Elma (Juntunen) Kakela in the rural Perth, ND area. He was the oldest of eight children. He was educated at Howell school and then moved to Rolla where he worked for relatives. He began a career with John Deere in Rolla at the Munro and Halone Implement where he was employed until he enlisted in the Army during WWII. His time in the military took him to many places including Pearl Harbor just one year after the bombing. He traveled on the Queen Mary and was stationed in England for quite some time. Kak was a member of the John Deere Battalion. He was Honorably Discharged in April of 1945 and returned to John Deere where he worked as a horse appraiser. It was an era when the implements were taking in farmers’ horses on trade for tractors. Kak moved to Rock Lake with John Deere and met Edna Broderick. They were united in marriage on November 27, 1947. They made their home in Rock Lake and began their family.

In January of 1955, Kak moved to Langdon and formed a partnership for the operation of the local John Deere with Ella Work. It became known as Work and Kakela Implement. Ella, who became a special part of the Kakela family, eventually sold the entire business and her farmland to Kak. He operated the business until January of 1968 when he decided to sell the implement to devote more time to a farming and cattle operation with his sons. Kak was very proud of his angus and served on the Board of Directors of the ND Angus Association. Kak was a Director for the First State Bank of Langdon, a charter member of the Langdon Curling Club, and a charter member of the Langdon Eagles Club where he would later spend hours playing cards. He was an avid card player, especially enjoying pinochle. He served on the Park Board and was a member of the American Legion Post #98, both in Langdon. Kak enjoyed following his grandchildren’s sporting events and rarely missed a game. He was their number one fan. He enjoyed spending time with his grandkids and great-grandchildren: when they were near, he was always smiling. Kak filled his life with things that were important to him: John Deere, cattle, farming, and especially his family.

Surviving Kak are his wife Edna of Langdon; his children: Myrna (Tim) Devine of Langdon, ND, Mark (Darby) Kakela of Langdon, ND, Kathy (Keith) Lorenz of Langdon, ND, Steve (Sue Cahill) Kakela of Langdon, ND, Rochelle (Dale) Kovarik of Park River, ND; grandchildren: Michael (Raquel) Berg, Derek (Stephanie Perrine) Devine, Justin (Tina Ross)Devine, Bryan (Kacy Forest) Kakela, Brett (Tonia Dearinger) Kakela, Brooke (Brandon) Downs, Kyle (Andrea) Lorenz, Korey (Katie) Lorenz, Katie (Doug) Johnson, Rudy Kakela, Brady Kovarik, Erin Kovarik; great-grandchildren: Isabella, Sophia, Kolter, Dawson, Kashton, Olivia, Avery, Konnor, and Jada; sisters: Addie (Charles) Disher of Rolla, ND and Hilda (Russell) Gross of Modesto, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Wesley, sister Lillian LaVake, and brothers: Rudy, Harvey and Marvin.

VISITATION will take place on Sunday, April 8, 2012 from 4 to 7pm at the Brooks Funeral Home of Langdon, ND. Visitation will also take place for one hour before the time of the services at the church on Monday.

SERVICES will be on Monday, April 9, 2012 at 10:00am at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Langdon, ND.

INTERMENT Rock Lake Cemetery, Rock Lake, ND