Chester "Chet" Folkert • 1930-2005

On Dec. 18, 2005, Chester "Chet" W. Folkert, 75, died in Lynnwood, WA, with his family at his side, after a long battle with cancer.

A lifelong resident of the Minot region, he and his wife have lived at 2140-1st Ave. SW in Minot for many years.

He was born on the family farm in Burke County on June 20, 1930, a son of Charles and Susan (Masek) Folkert. He was raised there and graduated from high school in Kenmare, ND. He went on to Minot State Teachers College, graduating with a degree in business administration. While a student there, he was a member of Mu Sigma Tau Fraternity.

In 1951, he joined the Army during the Korean Conflict. He was part of the group of students or graduates from MSTC who were members of the 188th Field Artillery Battalion. Forty-five years later, when the battalion met in Minot for a reunion, a story in The News noted that the college lost half of its basketball team to the 188th. On completion of his active duty service, he remained with the battalion's unit of the National Guard until 1972.

Chet's career was in banking. He was a bank examiner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for a number of years. In 1973, he went to work for the People's State Bank at Velva as executive vice president, remaining with the bank until his retirement in 1997. He also served on the bank's board of directors.

While working in Velva, he was elected president of the Velva Community Development Corporation. He served for more than one term, and during his tenure, was instrumental in securing construction of the Souris Valley Care Center, the sunflower plant and housing for low income residents of Velva.

He was a member of the North Dakota Independent Bankers Association and was association president in 1987-88. He was active in a number of Minot organizations, including the Taube Museum of Art, where he served on the board, and the Minot Symphony Association. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church and the Minot Country Club, and held a life membership in the Minot Elks Lodge. He was a member of the Velva American Legion.

Chet was not what you'd call a heavy duty sportsman, but he did enjoy his golf. One of the greatest joys of his life was scoring a hole-in-one on the seventh hole of the MCC golf course on July 20, 2004.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, the former Yvonne Robey, a daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Walter Capps of Lynnwood, and a sister, Myrtle Leet of Kenmare. A number of nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Lloyd, and a sister, Lillian Fox.

Memorial service: Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2006, at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Minot.

Friends may sign a register book at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, Tuesday, Jan. 3, from noon to 7 p.m.

Interment will be private at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, at a later date.

Memorials are preferred to the Salvation Army or the Taube Museum of Art.

Officiant: Rev. Dr. Bob Edwards

Eulogist: Gary Nelson

Music: Processional music: "Amazing Grace" piano solo
"The Lord's Prayer"
"On Eagle's Wings"
Recessional music: "Amazing Grace" piano solo
Marie Hagen-Bourquin, vocalist
Nadine Holmly, pianist
Luther C. Hanson, organist

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