Wade Ryan Therkildsen was born August 12, 1968 in Tyler, Minnesota, to Alva “Turk” and Margaret Therkildsen. He was baptized and confirmed at Danebod Lutheran Church, Tyler. While growing up, Wade could always be found in his dad’s shop creating or building some kind of contraption. He enjoyed football before he entered High School, he realized that making money was a little more rewarding. He started his first job with Christianson Implement where he continued his tinkering and made his own version of a moped. As he turned 16, he thought a faster version of transportation would be more appropriate and so he bought his first car. It didn’t take him long to figure out that owning his own vehicle also came with expenses and chose to start working for Howard Swanson milking cows. He was never afraid of hard work. He graduated from Russell-Tyler High School in 1986. He attended Southwestern Vocational Technical Institute in Granite Fall, MN earning a degree in Fluid Power Technology. He headed to Florida to start his career and as he moved up in the fluid power field; he moved several times across the Midwest. Wade was an avid outdoorsman and so living in Montana was right up his alley to experience all his hunting ventures. While living in Alexandria, Minnesota, with all the lakes, he was then able to enjoy all the fishing he wanted; both open water and ice fishing. Wade will always be remembered for his love of hunting, fishing, being a hard worker, and for his patriotism. He also enjoyed softball and trap shooting league and as many know he had a “gift to gab”. Because of him accidently shooting his middle toe off while walking around the yard his senior year, he received the nickname “#9” (for his 9 toes left). Some might think that “accident” should have been his middle name. Another name that his nieces, nephews and numerous friends knew him by was “WADER” (by adding his middle initial onto his name whenever he signed his cards). He was a lifetime member of the NRA, National Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, North American Hunting Club, and a long supporter of the Buffalo Ridge Pheasants Forever.
Wade gained his angel wings on October 30, 2021. He is survived by his father, Alva (Turk) Therkildsen of Tyler, Minnesota; his 4-legged faithful companion, Jenny; four sisters, Linda (Neal) Ballard of Tyler, Paula (Owen) Hansen of West Fargo, North Dakota, Mona (Mory) Christianson of Tyler, and Twyla (Kevin) Hansen of Montevideo, Minnesota; and along with many nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and nephews. Wade was preceded in death by his mother, “Maggie Mae” (Wade’s own nickname he had for her) otherwise known as Margaret Therkildsen; nephew, Kelly Christopher Hansen; and all of his grandparents.
