George “Gene” Eugene Willms, 88, of Willmar, died Tuesday, September 24, at his home. His memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 28, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Willmar with visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to CentraCare Hospice or Immanuel Lutheran Church. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar.
George “Gene” Eugene Willms was born on May 21, 1936, in Cottonwood County, Minnesota to George and Marie (Ysker) Willms. Gene grew up on the family farm in rural Russell, working for neighbors before enlisting in the United States Army in January 1954. He served for three years with most of that time overseas in the 594th Field Artillery Battalion, AFO 169 US Army. He was driven home by a taxi driver from Sioux Falls, SD, on Christmas Eve 1956. Gene was working as a heavy equipment operator in the fall of 1958 when he met Adeline, who after a short courtship would marry on November 1, 1958. They enjoyed water skiing and riding motorcycle. The couple lived in Marshall before buying a small parcel of land just outside of town where he and Adeline built their home. They also built Willms Woodshed where they made custom built cabinets and a barn that housed goats, chickens, ducks, geese, a couple of calves and rabbits. Gene could fix or build anything he set his mind to. Gene worked for a couple of construction companies and as an appliance repair man before retiring. They lived in Marshall until the fall of 2013 when they moved to Willmar. Gene and Adeline were members at Zion Lutheran Church in Island Lake Township and Christ Lutheran Church in Marshall, before becoming members at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Willmar.
He is survived by his wife, Adeline; children: Kent (Renae) Willms of Pennock and Kim (Maurice) Erwin of Blythedale, MO; grandchildren: Nick (Melody) Willms, Jesse (Tammy) Deutz, Andrew Bonine, Taylor (Brooke) Willms and MacKenzie Bonine; great grandchildren: Diego, Sean, Mason, Emma Willms, Cameron Bonine, Lainey, Cullen Deutz, Paxton, Camden and Bennett Willms; sister, Donna (Dean) Nylen; sister-in-law, Gladys Viergutz; and his thirteen nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Marie (Ysker) Willms; father and mother-in-law, Elmer K. and Minnie (Henrich) Lursen; sister, Dolores (Jay) Morehouse; brothers-in-law: Calvin (Judy) Lursen, Don Viergutz, Eldon Lursen; sisters-in-law: Verla Lursen and Marla (John) Lidman.
