Roy A. Minter

Roy A. Minter, 83, of Willmar, died Sunday, September 1st at Carris Health Rice Hospital in Willmar. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 am, Thursday, September 5th at Church of St. Mary in Willmar. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 pm, Wednesday at the church and continue one hour prior to his service. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Church of St. Mary or Rice Hospice. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org

Roy Armond Minter was born March 25, 1936, in Owatonna, the son of Roy E. and Madeline (Gasner) Minter. He grew up in Owatonna and graduated from Owatonna High School in 1954. Roy attended Mankato University and graduated with a Masters degree in Health and Phy. Ed. He excelled in wrestling. Roy was a high school state champion and in college he earned many titles.

Roy was united in marriage to Mary Jo Ringhofer on August 11, 1956. They had four children: Cynthia, Tim, Richard and Lisa. He taught and coached football and wrestling in Worthington for ten years. They moved to Willmar in 1968 where he taught and coached at Willmar Community College from 1968 to 1992 and then retired.

Roy was well known for his wrestling skills all over the country. He is in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame five times for his achievements. His life was dedicated to wrestling, his family, and his wrestlers he called “his boys.” He was a lifetime member of Coaches Association. He loved golf, fishing, and had much pride in the lake place he built in Park Rapids. Roy loved working in his woodshop building furniture for the family. He loved the weeks he went to Las Olas, FL, in the winter.

Roy is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Jo, his children: Tim (Michelle) Minter of Raymond, Richard of Plano, TX, Lisa (Tom) Donner of Clara City; grandchildren: Nicole (Matt) Brandt, Aaron (Heidi) Minter, Erica Minter, Kyle Minter, Kailee (fiancé, Justin Koenen) Donner, Amy (Alex) Sinclair, Tyler (Kelsey) Donner; great-grandchildren: Kolby, Hunter, Madeline, Stella, Roman, and Lachlan; he is also survived by other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Cynthia and two brothers.    

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