Willard "Willie" Fjosne

Willard "Willie" Fjosne, 81, Willow River, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 29, 2011.


He was born on September 30, 1929 in Sturgeon Lake to James and Eva Fjosne. Willie grew up in the Sturgeon Lake area where he attended school. At the age of 13, Willie began working as a sawmill sawyer. He also farmed through the years. On May 7, 1949, Willie married Lillian "Puggy" Johnson in Sturgeon Lake. Willie worked at the refinery in Wrenshall and later moved to Willow River where he worked for the lumber yard and Rehbein Sod Farm. Willie owned and operated a "Willie's Mill" for several years. He enjoyed feeding his deer and woodworking. Willie had made over 1000 Willow River Day Buttons in the early 80's. He also sponsored several softball and bowling teams through the years.

Willie was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian "Puggy"; an infant daughter: Connie Faye; his parents: James & Eva; brother: Wallace; brother-in-law: Augie; and daughter-in-law: Mary.

Willard will be lovingly remembered by his 2 sons, Rick (Kat) Fjosne of Willow River and Jason Fjosne of Willow River; 7 daughters, Ellen (Vern) Redenbaugh of Moose Lake, Candy Good and friend Dawn of Andover, Mitzi Wasche of Moose Lake, Kathy (Willard) Rehbein of Willow River/Florida, Brenda (Joe) Kwapick of Blaine and Jody (Lowell) Dougherty of Moose Lake and Jacki (Jason) Johnson of Willow River; Grandchildren, Becky & Joe, Daniel, Stacey & Nate, Little Rick, Misty & Bill, Clint, Blake & Soli, Trevor & Kayla, Chadd, Travis & Jenny, Beth, Amy & Pete, Lori & Desi, Ben & Sam, Kiffer & Rachelle, Molly Emily, Zeke, Victoria, Charlie, Tammy & Mike, Todd & Cheryl, Tony & Mary Ann, Travis, Kelly & Nick, Kyle, Katie, Amber, Cody, Carlee, Samantha, Abby, Olivia, Jordan and Dawson; Great Grandchildren, Woody, Ellen Claire, Brooke, Brady, Hunter, Carter, Emily, Taylor, Kelsey, Melanie, Emma, Mason, Ricky, Mattie, Ashley, Hannah, Michael, Brooklyn, P.J., Lillian, Elliott, Little Willie, Isaiah, Zeke Jr., Eve, Carson, Jesse & Dawn, Justin, Michael, Jacob, Shane, Rani, Danielle, Chandler, Riley, Travis, Jr., Natasha, and Sabrina; Great Great Grandchildren: Alexis, Jesse, Jr., Ashton, and Carter; Brother: Maynard Fjosne of Sturgeon Lake; Sister: Dorothy "Topsy" Gault of Wrenshall; Sister-In-Law: Dorothy Fjosne of Moose Lake; numerous nieces, nephews,cousins,and his best friend, "Bucky".

Visitation was from 3-5 PM Sunday in Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake and continue 10 until the 11 AM funeral service on Monday, April 4, 2011 in Hope Lutheran Church, Moose Lake. Pastor Reggie Denton and Wendy Hjelmberg officated. Joy Novak provided the music. Casket Bearers were Daniel Redenbaugh, Blake Fjosne, Amy Frisch, Kiffer Wasche, Victoria Rehbein, Kyle Kwapick, Amber Dougherty, Abby Johnson, Jordan Fjosne, and Dawson Fjosne. Honorary Bearer's were the remainder of Papa Willie's Grandchildren. Burial was held in Sunnyside Cemetery, Willow River.

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.