Harry Andrew Wheeler Was born on August 17, 1908 in Red Wing, Minnesota, the son of Harry and Louisa (Seigler) Wheeler. When Harry was 2, his family moved to Rochester, where he attended grade school, high school and junior college. He then went to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he received his medical degree. He took his first job in Richardton, ND on March 15, 1933.
That summer, he married Avanelle Britzius, a Rochester, MN native in a ceremony held at the bride's parents home. Avanelle was also a graduate of the University of Minnesota and had been the libriarian for the preivous seven years at Hamlin University in St. Paul.
They moved to Mandan in July 1933 where "Doc" Wheeler practiced as an obstetrician/pediatrician for more than 50 years, delivering over 7,000 babies. After he closed his medical practice in 1986, he continued to service as Morton County coroner, a position he held for more than 30 years.
"Doc" Wheeler was a man with many varied talents and interests. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and simply loved being outdoors. Doc was active in the Izaak Walton League and was intrumental in the introduction of wild turkey to North Dakota. He enjoyed hunting with a bow and arrow and successfully worked to get bow hunting legalized in the state. In 2001, he was inducted into the North Dakota Bow Hunters Assocation Hall of Fame.
Dr. Wheeler was alway an ardent support of Mandan and an active member of the Mandan Rotary Club for more than 60 years. Well known throughout Mandan and Morton County, he always had a ready response when people would call out to him "Hi Doc, how are you doing?"
Since Doc began his practice during the height of the depression when times were tough, rural residents frequently paid in poultry or farm goods. He frequently made allowance for those who couldn't pay the usual fee. Doc always maintained his own office, preferring not to be in a larger clinic setting.
He is survived by his wife Ananelle: his son-in-law Don Zimmerman of Waite Park Minnesota, his granddaughter Julie Zimmerman (Robert Olson) of Duluth, and a great-grandson, Andre Jakob Olson. His parents, his daughter Susan Zimmer, two sisters Alice and Mariy Louise and a brother-in-law Charles Britzius preceded him in death.
He died on April 25, 2007 and is buried in Union Cemetery in Mandan.
The MHSoc's museum and office is located at 3827 30th Avenue NW; PO Box 1001; Mandan, ND 58554 Contact us at info@mandanhistory.org
