Richard Willis, age 86, of Grand Rapids, MN passed away Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at St. Luke's Hospital, Duluth, MN. He was born in 1935 to Joseph and Helen (Burmeister) Willis in Pembine, WI where he grew up and attended school.
After graduation, Richard enlisted in the United States Air Force. Richard met the love of his life, Barbara Barkla, on a bus ride and the two were married two weeks later on August 22, 1957, in Coleraine, MN. The family moved where Richard was stationed over his 20-year military career. Following his retirement, they returned to the Grand Rapids area and attended Itasca Community College and earned his associate degree. He worked for Anderson Glass for 20 years.
Richard was active with the Itasca Masonic Lodge, the Aad Shrine, North Star Shrine Cycle Patrol, participating as a clown with the Shriners Children's Hospital in Florida, the American Legion, the VFW, and the DAV. He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ronald, Kenneth, Lowell Willis; sisters, Marilyn Raboin, JoAnne Haase, Carol Faye Willis; son-in-law, Joseph O'Brien; and beloved dog, Isabelle.
Richard is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara; daughters: Debra Michaelson, Tammy O'Brien, Paula (Manuel) Jasso, Pamela (John) Zehowski; sister, Maureen Willis; brother, Patrick Willis; grandchildren: Betsy (Krys) Olson, Richard (Mandy) Olson, Jonathan (Christina) Olson, Aaron Frahm, Stephanie (Paul) Linstad, Ana (Matthew) Cruz, Cody (Allison) Willis, Heather (Tanner) O'Gorman, Kaitlyn (Nick) Anderson, Lily (Tanner) O'Brien; 14 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery, Coleraine, MN at a later date.
After graduation, Richard enlisted in the United States Air Force. Richard met the love of his life, Barbara Barkla, on a bus ride and the two were married two weeks later on August 22, 1957, in Coleraine, MN. The family moved where Richard was stationed over his 20-year military career. Following his retirement, they returned to the Grand Rapids area and attended Itasca Community College and earned his associate degree. He worked for Anderson Glass for 20 years.
Richard was active with the Itasca Masonic Lodge, the Aad Shrine, North Star Shrine Cycle Patrol, participating as a clown with the Shriners Children's Hospital in Florida, the American Legion, the VFW, and the DAV. He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ronald, Kenneth, Lowell Willis; sisters, Marilyn Raboin, JoAnne Haase, Carol Faye Willis; son-in-law, Joseph O'Brien; and beloved dog, Isabelle.
Richard is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara; daughters: Debra Michaelson, Tammy O'Brien, Paula (Manuel) Jasso, Pamela (John) Zehowski; sister, Maureen Willis; brother, Patrick Willis; grandchildren: Betsy (Krys) Olson, Richard (Mandy) Olson, Jonathan (Christina) Olson, Aaron Frahm, Stephanie (Paul) Linstad, Ana (Matthew) Cruz, Cody (Allison) Willis, Heather (Tanner) O'Gorman, Kaitlyn (Nick) Anderson, Lily (Tanner) O'Brien; 14 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery, Coleraine, MN at a later date.
Richard Willis, age 86, of Grand Rapids, MN passed away Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at St. Luke's Hospital, Duluth, MN. He was born in 1935 to Joseph and Helen (Burmeister) Willis in Pembine, WI where he grew up and attended school.
After graduation, Richard enlisted in the United States Air Force. Richard met the love of his life, Barbara Barkla, on a bus ride and the two were married two weeks later on August 22, 1957, in Coleraine, MN. The family moved where Richard was stationed over his 20-year military career. Following his retirement, they returned to the Grand Rapids area and attended Itasca Community College and earned his associate degree. He worked for Anderson Glass for 20 years.
Richard was active with the Itasca Masonic Lodge, the Aad Shrine, North Star Shrine Cycle Patrol, participating as a clown with the Shriners Children's Hospital in Florida, the American Legion, the VFW, and the DAV. He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ronald, Kenneth, Lowell Willis; sisters, Marilyn Raboin, JoAnne Haase, Carol Faye Willis; son-in-law, Joseph O'Brien; and beloved dog, Isabelle.
Richard is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara; daughters: Debra Michaelson, Tammy O'Brien, Paula (Manuel) Jasso, Pamela (John) Zehowski; sister, Maureen Willis; brother, Patrick Willis; grandchildren: Betsy (Krys) Olson, Richard (Mandy) Olson, Jonathan (Christina) Olson, Aaron Frahm, Stephanie (Paul) Linstad, Ana (Matthew) Cruz, Cody (Allison) Willis, Heather (Tanner) O'Gorman, Kaitlyn (Nick) Anderson, Lily (Tanner) O'Brien; 14 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery, Coleraine, MN at a later date.
After graduation, Richard enlisted in the United States Air Force. Richard met the love of his life, Barbara Barkla, on a bus ride and the two were married two weeks later on August 22, 1957, in Coleraine, MN. The family moved where Richard was stationed over his 20-year military career. Following his retirement, they returned to the Grand Rapids area and attended Itasca Community College and earned his associate degree. He worked for Anderson Glass for 20 years.
Richard was active with the Itasca Masonic Lodge, the Aad Shrine, North Star Shrine Cycle Patrol, participating as a clown with the Shriners Children's Hospital in Florida, the American Legion, the VFW, and the DAV. He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ronald, Kenneth, Lowell Willis; sisters, Marilyn Raboin, JoAnne Haase, Carol Faye Willis; son-in-law, Joseph O'Brien; and beloved dog, Isabelle.
Richard is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara; daughters: Debra Michaelson, Tammy O'Brien, Paula (Manuel) Jasso, Pamela (John) Zehowski; sister, Maureen Willis; brother, Patrick Willis; grandchildren: Betsy (Krys) Olson, Richard (Mandy) Olson, Jonathan (Christina) Olson, Aaron Frahm, Stephanie (Paul) Linstad, Ana (Matthew) Cruz, Cody (Allison) Willis, Heather (Tanner) O'Gorman, Kaitlyn (Nick) Anderson, Lily (Tanner) O'Brien; 14 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery, Coleraine, MN at a later date.
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