Willis Olander Sr., 84

Willis Olander Sr., age 84, of St. Paul Park, died Wednesday morning, Feb. 6, at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis.

Willis Hensel Olander was born Jan. 11, 1929, in Valiska, Iowa, the son of Alfred and Anna (Hensel) Orlander. He was raised on the family farm in Cambridge. Willis worked for ISD for 10 years.

He loved helping people and will be remembered laughing, joking, and telling his tall tales. He enjoyed tinkering on the lawn mower, snow blower, and on cars.

Willis was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, and sisters.

He was the beloved husband of Shirley for 63 years; loving father of Cynthia Hodgin, Bo (Dianna), Jack (Danette); grandpa of Josh, Kristi, James, Ryan, Mikaela, Ren, David; uncle of Shirley Ann Olson; many other nieces and nephews.

Gathering 10-11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, with 11 a.m. memorial service, at Kok Funeral Home, 1201 Portland Ave., St. Paul Park. Urn placement at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Tags: obituaries

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Jessica D.
Cottage Grove, MN 02/13/2013 8:14 AM

Dear friends and family of Willis, My name is Jessica and I am a volunteer in the area. Although I did not personally know Willis I would like to share some comforting thoughts with your family in this time of loss. In the Bible book of Psalms 72:12-14 we read, "For he will deliver the poor one crying for help, Also the afflicted one and whoever has no helper. From oppression and from violence he will redeem their soul, And their blood will be precious in his eyes." God is not unrighteous so as to forget those who have fallen asleep in death. Soon he will put an end to death and resurrect those who have passed away (John 5:28,29).

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