Alfred “Buzz” Von Bank, 90, of Fargo, passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Bethany on University in Fargo.
Alfred “Buzz” James Von Bank was born to Alphonse and Margaret Von Bank on July 30, 1934, in Fargo, North Dakota
Buzz attended and graduated in 1952 from St. Catherine’s High School in Valley City, North Dakota. He enlisted in the US Army on November 10, 1953, with the rank of PFC. He spent time in Japan and Korea. He would talk about the ship ride to Japan and how seasick he got. He was honorably discharged on October 26, 1955. While in the service he was given the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He attended Wahpeton State School of Science and completed a 2-year autobody repair course.
On December 27, 1958, he married Judy Krug at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fargo. They resided in Moorhead, Minnesota. Denise “Dede” was born January 22, 1961. Diane followed shortly after on November 19, 1962. Darin was born May 16, 1966.
Buzz worked for Larry’s Auto Body and Allen’s Autohaus in Fargo. The family moved to Bismarck in 1973 where he worked for Century Motors and Nastrom Motors as the body shop manager. In 1989, Buzz and Judy moved back to Fargo to be near their grandchildren. He took a job at Heritage Motor Company. He also worked for Abra Autobody and Maaco Autobody. He took a job as an auto insurance adjuster traveling in eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota. When he “retired” from adjusting he continued working as a courtesy car driver for Gateway Nissan in Fargo. He kept busy delivering Meals on Wheels into his eighties.
He and his brother Pete bought their dad’s 1951 AR John Deere tractor from Clem and Hazel Von Bank. They restored it to its glory – Pete doing the mechanical work and Buzz doing the body and painting work.
Buzz enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s “everything”: sports, band concerts, plays and dance competitions. For many years Buzz and Judy had a permanent camper on Ice Cracking Lake near Ponsford, MN. He loved spending time at the lake with his family. He passed his love of fishing to his grandson Huston. He cooked what he caught, frying fish in a cast iron skillet cooked over an open fire, YUM!
He is preceded in death by his parents AJ and Margaret Von Bank, three sisters, Theresa “Tess” Stroh, Rita Halland and Claire Naset; three brothers, Clem, Gary and Pete Von Bank; his son-in-law, Kenny Wienckowski and three nephews.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Judy; his daughters Dede Wienckowski, Fargo, ND and Diane Jorgenson, Fargo, ND; son Darin and his wife Sandy, Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren Huston Wienckowski, West Fargo, ND, Alyssa Jorgenson, St. Louis, MO, Shawna Edwards (Josh), Mesa, AZ, Victoria Jorgenson, Fargo, ND, Mya Von Bank, Nashville, TN, and Seth Von Bank, Sioux Falls, SD. He is also survived by one great-grandson, Pryce Edwards, and one great-granddaughter to be born January 2026, Mesa, AZ; several nieces and nephews.
We Love You and we know you “Love Us Back”.
Memorial Service: Monday, August 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in West Funeral Home, West Fargo, with visitation one hour prior to the service.
Interment: Fargo National Cemetery, rural Harwood, North Dakota, at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 11.
West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center
westfuneralhome.com
Comments