Virgil Wellner

Virgil 'Butch' William Wellner was born December 1, 1918, on the family farm in Stately Township, Brown County the son of Otto and Mary (Prull) Wellner. He attended School District 66 and graduated from Comfrey High School in 1935. Virgil farmed with his father until 1939, then with brother Lewis until 1946. He was a World War II veteran and a member of John Watson American Legion Post #257. On March 28, 1949, he was married to Margaret Goeden at Loveland, CO. Virgil was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church Stately and became a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church after moving to Springfield in 1978. He served on the Christ Lutheran Church Stately Board and the Sanborn School Board. Virgil also served as a Brown County Commissioner District 5 for 18 years from 1972-1990. He worked on various boards and committees and was instrumental in the construction of the bridge over the Cottonwood River and the extension of County Road 5 to Highway 14. The one project Virgil was involved in as a county commissioner that gave him the greatest satisfaction was being part of the development of the Wellner Hageman Reservoir and Mound Creek County Park. Virgil traveled with Margaret to all 50 states and 11 foreign countries. He enjoyed sports, playing cards, reading, politics, and especially buying and feeding cattle. He also enjoyed spending time with his family. Virgil Wellner died Saturday, October 23, 2010, at St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield at the age of 91 years, the last of the Otto and Mary Wellner family. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Margaret; children- Donald and wife Denise Wellner of Sanborn, Constance Wellner of Madelia, Dean and wife Cai Wellner of Mankato, Bradford and wife Carol Wellner of rural St. Peter, and Thomas and wife Cheryl Wellner of Eagle Lake; grandchildren- Mark, Timothy, Amy and Joel Wellner, Stacy Wellner-Grunden and Bryan Wellner, Cody and Brittney Wellner, and Kira, Jaeden and Laken Wellner; great-granddaughter Katelyn Grunden; step-grandchildren- Jordan and Son Tran; brother-in-law Roy Therkilsen; and sisters-in-law- Jane, Wilma and Luella Wellner. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Jeffrey at birth; brothers- Jack, Otto and Lewis; sisters- Lillian, Ellen, Marie and Lu Verne; and brother-in-law Jack Smith.