Theodore George Huisinga

Theodore “Ted” George Huisinga, 95, of Willmar, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, surrounded by his family. His funeral service will be 11:00 am, Saturday, June 20th at Assembly of God in Willmar. His visitation will be from 5-7:00 pm, Friday at Assembly of God Encore Center and will continue one hour prior to his service in the church. Burial will be in Clover Leaf Cemetery in Willmar. Memorials are preferred to the Willmar Assembly of God Kingdom Projects. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org

Ted was born in Holland Township to George and Ella (Nelson) Huisinga on November 25, 1924. He married Audrey Holmgren on June 10, 1949, at the Holmgren family farm near Pennock.  He was a veteran of WWII and served in the Army in Japan.

After returning home from the war, he convinced his wife, Audrey, to loan him her life savings with which she had hoped to buy a piano. He used the money to buy a small flock of turkeys. That investment eventually led to a 70-year career in the poultry industry, with operations on six continents and over 1,000 employees in Minnesota alone. Ted won many business awards for his contributions to the turkey industry. Most importantly, he was able to buy Audrey a piano.

Ted was a member and served on the board of Assembly of God in Willmar.  He was passionate about music and had many years of developing musical skills of young people through his church and West Central Youth For Christ.  Ted was instrumental in organizing the Night of Music Christmas Program at his church.

Ted loved his church, his family, and his work. Even at age 95, he continued to go to his office every day until his retirement just two weeks ago.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Dorothy Gilling, Ruth Crowe, Dave Huisinga, and LaVonne Willis. 

He is survived by his wife of 71 years; children: Ron (Jane) Huisinga, Randy (Lynn) Huisinga, Rick (Randi) Huisinga, Renae Chermak and Ruth Ann (Bob) Holthouse; grandchildren: Jonathan, Kristina, Stephen, Laura, Jared, Alyssa, Brianna, Aaron, Austin, Tim, Andrew, Emily, David, Michael, Nathan, Marc, and Mandi; and 13 great-grandchildren.

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