Willard J. Reid

Willard J. Reid, 81, of Paynesville died Saturday, October 12, 2019, at Koronis Manor in Paynesville.  A memorial service will be 11:00 am Friday, October 18, 2019, at Paynesville Lutheran Church in Paynesville.  A visitation will be held from 9-11:00 am on Friday at the church.  Services are entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville.      

Willard John Reid was born on August 16, 1938, in New Ulm, MN the son of John and Anna (Blome) Reid.  Willard grew up in Central Minnesota, where he attended school at South Haven.  After his schooling, Willard worked for farms in the South Haven and Fair Haven Area. 

On July 7, 1962, Willard was united in marriage to Doris Randall at Concordia Lutheran Church in Fair Haven. This union was blessed with three sons and two daughters.   The family made their home in Fair Haven and Kimball before settling in the Paynesville Area.  Willard loved agriculture and worked on farms his entire life as well as working for Cold Spring Granite.  He retired in 2001 and he and Doris worked as the caretakers of the Mill Street Apartments. 

Willard loved being on farms and out in the field.  He also enjoyed horseback riding, gardening, and fishing. Willard loved his family cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren.  

Willard is survived by his wife of 57 years, Doris; children:  Emily (Jeffrey) Reid Schmidt of Eden Valley, Keith (Denise) Reid of Eden Valley, Barbara (Bruce) Barlau of Paynesville, and Kevin Reid of Paynesville; 8 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.  Willard is also survived by his siblings:  Norma Mathees of South Haven, Ralph Reid of Annandale, Dolly Schmidt of Fair Haven, and Fay Lemke of South Haven; and many nieces and nephews. 

Willard was preceded in death by his parents, John and Anna; son, John; and brothers, Lyle “Bud” Reid and Lester Reid. 

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