1917
Willis
2007
Willis Woodward
June 20, 1917 — May 1, 2007
Willis Paul Woodward, age 89 of Dundas, and a longtime rural Dennison resident, died unexpectedly at home on Tuesday afternoon, May 1, 2007.
Willis was born on June 20, 1917 in Eagle Lake, MN, the son of Calvin D. and Thea (Iverson) Woodward.
Willis proudly served with the US Army during World War II, receiving a purple heart during the European Campaign. After his honorable discharge in 1945, he returned to marry Florence Vandenheuvel on October 27, 1945 in Minneapolis.
Willis was the sole proprietor of the Modern Cleaners dry cleaning business in Cannon Falls for 36 years. He was very meticulous, and worked hard to please his patrons. He was a self-taught tailor, and had done work for Wille's Clothing as well as other customers.
After 45 years of marriage, his beloved wife died on January 4, 1991.
He married Betty Barsness on August 17, 1992 in Red Wing, and they were blessed with nearly 15 years of marriage.
Willis was a member of the First English Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls, and of the VFW Nelson Scofield Post #4452 in Cannon Falls. He was a former longtime member of the Moose Lodge in Faribault.
Willis loved life! He loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, and was a self-taught guitar player. He enjoyed being outdoors, and had planted many trees at the family home near Dennison, and fed and watched the birds.
He will be fondly remembered for his gentle, kind manner and his loving smile.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; four children, Gloria (Dan) Storlie of Dennison, Linda (Patrick) Kelly of St. Paul, Roger Woodward of Rochester and Marcia (Dennis) Pommerening of Garrison, MN; 6 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; four step children, Mary (David) Reid of Kansas City, KS, Laurel (Bernie) Sholing of Las Vegas, NV, Lynne (Wally) Ress of Albert Lea, and Wendy (Brad) Mills of Cannon Falls; 9 step grandchildren and 3 step great-grandchildren; sister, Jeanette Buche of Minneapolis; two nephews, Bruce and Steve Buche and their families; and mother-in-law, Anna Johnson of Cannon Falls.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Florence; brothers, his twin Wilbur and Norman; daughter-in-law, Gail Woodward; and step son, Alan Barsness.
Funeral service will be held on Friday, May 4 at 2:00 pm at the First English Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls, with Pastor Kari Williamson officiating.
Visitation will be held at the church from 1-2 pm.
Interment with military honors will follow at the Stanton Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Dan Storlie, Patrick Kelly, Joe Woodward, Joe Vandenheuvel, Todd Barrow and Bruce Buche.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and First English Lutheran Church.
Arrangements by Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. On-line condolences may be directed to www.lundbergfuneral.com
Willis was born on June 20, 1917 in Eagle Lake, MN, the son of Calvin D. and Thea (Iverson) Woodward.
Willis proudly served with the US Army during World War II, receiving a purple heart during the European Campaign. After his honorable discharge in 1945, he returned to marry Florence Vandenheuvel on October 27, 1945 in Minneapolis.
Willis was the sole proprietor of the Modern Cleaners dry cleaning business in Cannon Falls for 36 years. He was very meticulous, and worked hard to please his patrons. He was a self-taught tailor, and had done work for Wille's Clothing as well as other customers.
After 45 years of marriage, his beloved wife died on January 4, 1991.
He married Betty Barsness on August 17, 1992 in Red Wing, and they were blessed with nearly 15 years of marriage.
Willis was a member of the First English Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls, and of the VFW Nelson Scofield Post #4452 in Cannon Falls. He was a former longtime member of the Moose Lodge in Faribault.
Willis loved life! He loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, and was a self-taught guitar player. He enjoyed being outdoors, and had planted many trees at the family home near Dennison, and fed and watched the birds.
He will be fondly remembered for his gentle, kind manner and his loving smile.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; four children, Gloria (Dan) Storlie of Dennison, Linda (Patrick) Kelly of St. Paul, Roger Woodward of Rochester and Marcia (Dennis) Pommerening of Garrison, MN; 6 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; four step children, Mary (David) Reid of Kansas City, KS, Laurel (Bernie) Sholing of Las Vegas, NV, Lynne (Wally) Ress of Albert Lea, and Wendy (Brad) Mills of Cannon Falls; 9 step grandchildren and 3 step great-grandchildren; sister, Jeanette Buche of Minneapolis; two nephews, Bruce and Steve Buche and their families; and mother-in-law, Anna Johnson of Cannon Falls.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Florence; brothers, his twin Wilbur and Norman; daughter-in-law, Gail Woodward; and step son, Alan Barsness.
Funeral service will be held on Friday, May 4 at 2:00 pm at the First English Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls, with Pastor Kari Williamson officiating.
Visitation will be held at the church from 1-2 pm.
Interment with military honors will follow at the Stanton Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Dan Storlie, Patrick Kelly, Joe Woodward, Joe Vandenheuvel, Todd Barrow and Bruce Buche.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and First English Lutheran Church.
Arrangements by Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. On-line condolences may be directed to www.lundbergfuneral.com
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