Livestream of the service : To view, please access https://vimeo.com/event/808646

To view the flowers from Wes' service, click here: Wes Tossett Flowers

Wesley "Wes" Owen Tossett, 88, Minot, formerly of the Lansford area, died Tuesday, March 16, 2021 in a Minot Nursing Home.

Wes was born May 4, 1932 on the family farm near Lansford, ND, the son of Otis and Ellen (Tyler) Tossett. He attended a one room country school, prior to the family moving to Billings, Montana, where he graduated from Billings High School in 1950. He graduated from NDSU in Fargo with a degree in Agricultural Economics in 1954.

Wes joined the U.S. Air Force in the fall of 1954 and served his country for 2 years at the Weather Central Station in Washington DC. He was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant in the fall of 1956. He began farming on the family farm in Elms Township of Bottineau County.

Wes was united in marriage to Marlene Woodiwiss on December 20, 1968 at St Mark's Lutheran Church in Minot. They made their home on the family farm near Lansford throughout the years, where in addition to growing small grains, they raised beef cattle and were blessed with three children.

Wes always believed in giving back and was very involved in the community. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansford, where he served on the Church Council; Elms Township Board, Lansford Fire District, where he served as Secretary-Treasurer for 12 years and the Mouse River Soil Conservation Board. He was also a member of the Lansford Masonic Lodge, Minot Shriner's Association, Farm Bureau for over 60 years, ND Stockmen's Association for over 50 years and Minot Rotary Club for over 30 years.

Wes will always be remembered for his love of farming and promoting his industry by serving on many different agricultural boards. He was a director and officer of the U.S. Durum Grower's Association, ND Grain Growers, U.S. Wheat Growers, ND Association of Soil Conservation Districts, National Association of Conservation Districts and most proudly helped organize the Landowner's Association of North Dakota (LAND).

Wes was instrumental in establishing the International Durum Forum in Minot, the Northern Crops Council in Fargo, Ag Coalition in Bismarck, Ag Evaluation Team, which took him to various areas of Russia. Wes received numerous awards throughout the years. He was a recipient of the Mouse River Soil Conservation Award, NDSU Alumni Association Agriculture Award in 1977.   He was also nominated by the USDA to a two-year term on the US Wheat industry Council of Washington DC as one of five grower representatives.

Wes and Marlene operated the Forfar Stock and Grain Farm at Lansford, raising hard red spring wheat, durum, sunflowers, oats and raised beef cattle. He wanted to leave the land in better condition than when he acquired it. He was especially resentful of big government and its resulting bureaucratic overreach.

Wes is survived by: his wife of 52 years, Marlene Tossett, Minot; children,  Laurel (Larry) Gangl, Mandan, ND, Derek Tossett, Lansford, ND and Nancy (Berent) Thompson, Kintyre, ND; 7 grandchildren, Sydney, Lauren, & Seth; Callie, Carson,  Courtney & Cash; sisters, Dolores Jacobson of Sacramento, CA,  and Carol Sando,  Sacramento, CA; along with a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Wes was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Christman; brothers in law, Jerry Sando, Dale Jacobson, Richard Christman and Fred Woodiwiss.

Celebration of life service :  Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. in Christ Lutheran Church, Minot. Masks will be required and social distancing guidelines should be followed for the service.
Livestream of the service : To view, please access https://vimeo.com/event/808646
Visitation: Friday, March 19 ^th from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials are preferred to the Christ Lutheran Church Parking Lot Fund or an organization of donor's choice.