Grant Markhanna Willmert

Obituary

Grant “Bumps” Markhanna Willmert was born on May 23, 1918, in Blue Earth, Minnesota. He was the son of Silas Ludwin and Gladys Eveline (Morgan) Willmert. Grant was baptized as an infant and later was confirmed in his faith as a youth on April 29, 1929, at Evangelical Church in Blue Earth, Minnesota. He received his education in Blue Earth, Minnesota. Upon graduating Grant enlisted in the United States Navy on March 27, 1944, and served his country during World War 2 .He received an Honorable Discharge on December 26, 1945, in Seattle, Washington, as a Radar Man 3rd Class.

On June 11, 1939, Grant was united in marriage to Melva Thrush by Rev. H. Hiller at the Evangelical Church parsonage in Blue Earth, Minnesota. Grant and Melva made their home in Blue Earth until 1949 when they moved to Glencoe, Minnesota. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Barry, Sharie and Patti. Grant and Melva shared over 59 years of marriage, until Melva passed away on August 10, 1998.

Grant worked in the Glencoe area for 56 years. He transferred from Blue Earth Green Giant Company to the Glencoe Plant where he was the warehouse superintendent. He then owned and operated Willmert Inc. a trucking company and in July 1978 Grant & his son Barry purchased Auto Driveway and later retired in 1989. Grant also owned about 40 acres of orange and grapefruit groves in McAllen, Texas. Grant was an active member of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Glencoe, where he served as a deacon and trustee. He was also a member of the Masons, Shriners, Crow River Shrine Club, Royal Order of Jesters Court #53 in Minneapolis, Marco Island Shrine Club and a councilman for the City of Glencoe. He was also lifetime member of Glencoe VFW Post # 5102 and Glencoe American Legion Post #95.

Grant enjoyed stamp collecting, watching Minnesota sports, especially the Minnesota Gophers football and basketball team, and playing cribbage every Tuesday with his neighbor Nick, traveling, fishing, gardening and pheasant hunting back in the day.
Grant passed away on Friday, February 10, 2017, at Glencoe Regional Health Services, Hospice Care Unit in Glencoe, Minnesota, at the age of 98 years, 8 months and 18 days.

Blessed be his memory.
Grant is survived by his: Daughters, Sharie Bell of Overland Park, KS, Patti Olson and her husband, Larry, of Glencoe, MN; Daughter-In-Law, Joanne (Willmert) Sheedy of Chanhassen,MN; Grandchildren, Todd Willmert of Edina, MN, Carrie (Willmert) Bloom (Scott) of Edina, MN, Mark Willmert of Minneaplis, MN, Heidi (Bell) Bertoncin (James) of Merriam, KS, Cameron Olson of Glencoe, MN, Grant Olson of New Auburn, MN, Angela (Olson) Bolt of Glencoe, MN; Great Grandchildren, Talia Willmert of Edina,MN, Triana Willmert of Edina, MN, Shelby Robertson of Merriam, Kansas, Erin Robertson of Merriam, Kansas, Dylan Robertson of Merriam, Kansas, Ariana Bolt of Glencoe, MN; Sister –In-Law, Thelma Mikkelson of New Ulm, MN; Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives and many friends. Grant is preceded in death by his Parents, Silas and Gladys (Morgan) Willmert; Wife, Melva (Thrush) Willmert; Son, Barry Willmert; Grants dog, Buster; Sister, Wanda Willmert; Brother, Sylvester Willmert; Son-In-Law, Richard Bell; Grandson, Clark Bell; Great Grandson, Nicholas Bell; Sisters-In-Law, Clarice Greise, Joyce Prill, Joy Thrush; Brothers-In-Law, Wayne Thrush, Clarence Prill, Donald Mikkelson, Art Greise.
 

Memorials preferred to the Shriners Home for Crippled Children.