Sheldon Z. Wert Obituary (1934 - 2016)

Sheldon Z. Wert age 82, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully at home in Wayzata, Minnesota surrounded by family on Dec. 5th, 2016. Preceded in death by parents, Tillie and Joseph Wert. Survived by his loving wife of 43 years Jean; children, Jeff (Judy), Josi, Joshua (Randi), Jennifer, Jacob (Allison), Tara, (Mitch). "Papa Shel" is also survived by his 10 loving grandchildren: Daniel, Isaac, Eve, Julia, Etai, Anna, Hayden, Alexandra, Odessa and Andrew; including one on the way. He is also survived by countless friends, extended family and business associates to whom he meant the world. Shel graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1959. What came next was a string of jobs and career moves that, given his head for numbers and his even-keel temperament, would soon catapult him into the business and banking world where he would end up scoring a passel of successes. In 1965 Shel became the President of American Lumber Company whereupon, he merged it with Bor-Son Construction in 1970 to form Shelter Corp. of America, a national housing development company that grew to enormous success. With the experience he gleaned there along with his unyielding reputation for integrity, in 1972 Shel bought a 55-acre cornfield across from General Mills headquarters. That was the beginning of the Shelard Park development now referred to as The Interchange. It was during that exciting time that he also began The Shelard Group, a residential and commercial property management, brokerage and development company that remains prominent today. In 1990 he became the Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Century Bank in Eden Prairie. In 2002 he decided to spend most of his working time as the Principal of The Shelard Group, in which he worked up until his very last days. Shel never once forgot those who helped him get to where he was nor did he forget those who needed his help. He was always a mentor and a confidante to anyone who asked for his sage and educated advice. It was just his way. Countless people getting into banking, business or real estate have shared so many stories of the help that Shel gave them. These stories, many of which the family knew very little of, or not at all, truly speak to the strong yet humble and quiet council that Shel provided. Shel was proud of his Judaism and belonged to both Temple Israel and Bet Shalom. He was a trustee at Temple Israel and the Chairman of the Advanced Gifts Division of the Minneapolis Federation for Jewish Services. He was also a Chairman at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation and a Trustee at The Blake School. He took much pride in being a Director of Abbott Northwestern Hospital, an institution in which he believed in enthusiastically and to which he generously donated. Funeral service will be held FRIDAY, 11:00am, TEMPLE ISRAEL, 2323 Fremont Ave. S., Mpls. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to The Virginia Piper Cancer Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, 800 E. 28th St., MR 16509, Mpls, MN 55407. SHIVA: Temple Israel (Sat. 7:00pm).