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WOHLFEIL HONORED ON SUNDAY On Sunday evening, Feb. 29, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Hazen, will honor Leonard Wohlfeil for completing 50 years of service as organist of the congregation. Wohlfeil began playing the organ for church services when he was 10 years old and only on rare occasions since that time has he been absent from the console for all church services, wedding, funerals, and choir practices. He was born in Lakefield, Minnesota, and played for his first service at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in St. Thomas, North Dakota, the last Sunday in August, 1919. He served as organist for that church until 1923 when he moved to Tolla. He resumed his duties as organist again there and played until moving to Hazen in February 1926. Wohlfeil has been church organist for 57 consecutive years, 50 of which have been spent here at St. Matthew’s. In 1927, he became the state’s youngest licensed electrician. He opened a garage and electrical shop in 1930, and in 1937 maintained complete interest after buying out his partner, Melvin Vollmer. The business was located in the Krause Implement Shop, now the Rocking R-Brew and Steak. After a series of business dealings, he built the Wohlfiel Electric building in 1949, and sold the electrical business in 1963. After selling his business, Wohlfeil worked for Hazen Motor as a car salesman for 3 years. In 1967, he accepted the position of power use advisor with the Oliver-Mercer Electric Cooperative, a position he still holds. He has served on the city commission for 20 years and as mayor since 1967. He was Chamber of Commerce president in 1958 and president of St. Matthew’s congregation in 1954, 1955, and 1968. Wohlfeil also served as Sunday School superintendent for 5 years, treasurer for 10 years, evangelism chairman for 5 years, and is presently chairman of the Elders. He was a board member of the Church Extension department of the North Dakota district for several years and sang with the Community Chorus for 7 years. He was a member of the Hazen Hospital Board and a charter member of the local Lutheran Laymen’s League, and served as president of that organization for several years. He served as president of the North Dakota Inventors Association in 1962. Wohlfeil married Lydia Auwinger in February, 1931. The public is invited to attend the ceremonies starting at 6 p.m. in St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church basement. ~Source: The Hazen Star, February 1976
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