Ward W. Farka

Ward W. Farka, age 98, of Alexandria, died on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at St. William’s Living Center in Parkers Prairie.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Alexandria Covenant Church with Rev. Gregg Donnelly officiating. Music is provided by pianist, Naomi Sands and vocalist, Katie Farka. Full military honors accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard, American Legion Post #87, Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #936, Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter #235, and the Marine Corps League Detachment #1409. Private family interment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.

The visitation is one hour prior to the service.

Ward William was born on November 26, 1925, to Paul and Susie (Naylor) Farka in West Concord. He grew up in West Concord where he attended public school. Following his education, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he was a signalman during World War II, serving in the Pacific and Korea. He completed his duty in Hawaii at the conclusion of World War II. Following his honorable discharge, he attended telegraph school in Minneapolis. Ward moved to Tracy, California to work for the railroad. He was united in marriage to Ella Elhard on November 28, 1950, in Tracy. Following their marriage, they lived in Tracy and Modesto before returning to Minneapolis in 1951. In 1958, they moved to Spokane, Washington where they lived for over 60 years. Ward and Ella moved to Alexandria in 2019, to be closer to family. He was a member of the Alexandria Covenant Church and a former charter member of Northview Bible Church in Spokane. He was a former member of the Tri County Art Association in Deer Park, Washington and the Spokane Watercolor Society. Ward sang with the “Melody Singers” for many years, traveling throughout the Northwest. He was an avid wood carver, well known for carving decorative “love spoons”.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ella in 2022; and three sisters, Mildred, Lillian, and Ethel.

Ward is survived by his four children, Lane (Debbie) Farka of Spangle, Washington, Brian (Joyce) Farka of Alexandria, Lee (Deb) Farka of San Antonio, Texas, and Brent (Christine) Farka of Las Vegas, Nevada; 12 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.