Donald Willard

Donald Gene Willard, the son of Raymond Henry and Luella Emma (Buck) Willard was born on February 10, 1932 at West Bend, IA. He received his education at a country school near his home and Comfrey public schools. He served his Country in the United States Airforce from 1949 - 1953, and was stationed in Alaska. Don accepted Jesus as his Savior at the age of 24, he was baptized upon confession of his faith in Mountain Lake lake, and he was a member of the Alliance Missionary Church in Mountain Lake, MN. On March 16, 1956, Don was united in marriage to MaryLou Loretta Jensen at the Alliance Missionary Church. The lived in Winnebago, MN for a year, before returning to Mountain Lake. He drove truck for Frode Jensen, gathering and delivering eggs, he drove truck for Land-O-Lakes in Mountain Lake for 33 years, and he drove school bus for the Mountain Lake Public School for 12 years. Don enjoyed music and sang and played harmonica with the Mountain Lake Gospel Singers for many years, he also enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. Don died at the age of 77, on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Linda Sanders. Don is survived by his wife, MaryLou Willard of Mountain Lake; 4 children, Dale Michael (Betty) Willard of Buhl, ID, Patricia Ann (David Allen) Korthouse of Windom, MN, Anthony Donald (Barbara) Willard of St. Cloud, MN, and Jodi Kathleen (Travis) Byberg of Sauk Rapids, MN; 9 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; 3 brothers, Ray D. (Ede) Willard of Mountain Lake, Dennis A. (Linda) Willard of Sumter, SC, and Keith Willard of Mountain Lake; 2 sisters, Lydia (Louis) Lindmeyer and Lois (Jerry) Mathews, all of New Ulm, MN; many other relatives and friends.