John Byron Weeda

1950 - 2025

John Byron Weeda

December 25, 1950 - June 22, 2025

John Weeda, 74, of Mandan, North Dakota, peacefully passed away surrounded by family at St Luke's Hospital in Twin Falls, Idaho, on Sunday, June 22, 2025, from injuries sustained in a car accident while traveling through the area. Services are pending while his wife continues to recover from injuries that she sustained in the accident.

John was born on December 25, 1950, in Bismarck, North Dakota, to Wayne and Irene (Olson) Weeda. He was raised in Mandan and graduated from Mandan High School. He attended the University of North Dakota and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1972. John married Margery Larson on May 26, 1972. John and Marge lived for a brief time in San Jose, California, then Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he trained and worked in nuclear power before John embarked on a lifetime career of 41 years at Great River Energy's Coal Creek Station near Washburn, North Dakota. There, he spent many years as Plant Manager, then as the Director of North Dakota Generation. John was appreciated for his kind and respectful leadership, inspiring others to work together to succeed. He enjoyed providing personal tours of the plant, always with a twinkle in his eye, to many family members, grandchildren and friends. After retiring from GRE in 2017, he then continued to be active in the Energy Industry, serving as Director of the North Dakota Transmission Authority. Over this past year, he and Marge adventured to Alaska, where he enjoyed serving as Interim Plant Manager at the GVEA Healy Power Plant.

John loved the teachings of Jesus and found great comfort applying those values throughout his whole life. John was steadfast in his love of God, his family, friends and community and is dearly missed.

John is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Bradley and Charlotte Weeda (Maizie, Zane and Hazel) of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and Jason Gauderman (Kate, James and Andrew) of Kaysville, Utah; brother, Dwayne (Janice) Weeda; sister, Rebecca (Lyle) Heinsen; brother, Bruce (Rhonda) Weeda; many nieces, and nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.