Willis “Willie” J. Weinand, 82, Sartell

September 27, 1933 - November 8, 2015

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sartell for Willie J. Weinand, 82 of Sartell who passed away on Sunday at the St. Cloud Hospital. Rev. Timothy Baltes will officiate and burial will be at the parish cemetery in Sartell. Relatives and friends may visit from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids and also one hour to services on Thursday morning at the church.

Willis Joseph Weinand was born on September 27, 1933 in St. Cloud to Albert and Lucille (Heinen) Weinand. He married Mary Ellen McGee and together they had four children. The marriage was later annulled. He married Mary Elizabeth Theisen on May 29, 1987 and she passed away in June of 2014. Willie lived in the Sartell area for all of his life. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged. Willie worked as a Draftsman at DeZurik and then at the Stearns County Courthouse and most recently worked as the State Fire Marshall. He took interest in his hometown and was quite the Historian, writing two books about the history of Sartell and was involved with the Stearns County Historical Society. Willie was a lifetime member and volunteer of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He was a member of the Sartell American Legion Post #277 for 61 years, the Sartell Fire Department for 20 years and was the department’s Fire Chief for 8 years. He was also on the Sartell/Le Sauk Planning Commission for 12 years. Willie enjoyed many outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, gardening and woodworking, especially on bird houses and playing cards. He was a promoter of gun safety and was a firearm safety instructor for 5o years.

Survivors include his children, Pat (Arleen) Weinand of Sartell, Lynn Therese Weinand of Clearwater, Joe Weinand of Sartell and Lori (Frank) Osga of Sartell; grandchildren, Dillan and Andrew Weinand, Justin Koltes, Nicole Pohl-Thelen, Zachary Osga and Matthew Osga; great grandchild, Kylee Weinand; one brother, two sisters and special friend, Rita Steiner. He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Mary Elizabeth.