Franklin Augustus Wenstrom was born and grew up in Wells County, North Dakota. He was the son of James A. Wenstrom (1874–1963) and Anna (Kringstad) Wenstrom (1874–1967). His parents were of Norwegian and Swedish immigrant heritage. Beginning in 1933, he worked in the oil business in Carrington, North Dakota. In 1945, he became secretary- manager for the Williston (N.D.) Chamber of Commerce. Wenstrom worked as public relations officer for First National Bank of Williston (1951–1960).[2][3][4]
In 1938, he was married to Mary Esther Pickett (1907–2002). Wenstrom died at age 93 in 1997 and was buried at Riverview Cemetery in Williston.[5]