George Williams

George Patrick Williams, age 93 of Sauk Centre, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at the Sauk Centre Care Center in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 14 at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union. Inurnment will be held in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Osakis V.F.W. Post 7902.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

George was born on his family’s farm one mile northeast of West Union to John and Margaret (Staus) Williams on March 13, 1929. He attended the Country School District #5 and graduated from Osakis High School in 1946.  He was in the United States Army from 1952-1954, spending 1953 in Korea. As a Sergeant First Class, George received the Combat Infantry Badge and Korean Service Ribbon with two bronze service stars. One of his complaints about Korea was that after the armistice was signed in July of 1953, they had to move out of their barracks and into tents as they were on the wrong side of the 38th parallel.

On September 2, 1957, George was united in marriage to Jeanne (Miller) Williams at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union. In 1959 they bought a farm seven miles west of Sauk Centre where they raised their four children.  George enjoyed playing cards, square dancing, golfing with his friends, driving tractor for his son in law, and attending his grandchildren’s school events. George also volunteered at the Osakis VFW Post #7902 and enjoyed working the Friday night fish fry.  If you are ever at the VFW, you can look for George’s ceiling tile.

After returning from Korea, he worked for the Farmers Elevator in Sauk Centre.  George then spent 34 years as the manager of the West Union Elevator / Famo Feeds.  After he retired from the elevator George continued to sell Northrup King seed corn for Famo Feeds.  George was welcoming to all and loved interacting with the local farmers at the elevator and throughout the community.

George was a lifetime member and past trustee of the St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union. He served on the Sauk Centre Public School Board for 12 years from 1972-1984.  George was also a life member of the Osakis VFW Post #7902 serving as Commander for two terms, and he was a member of the Sauk Centre American Legion Post 67.

Left to cherish George’s memory are his wife of 65 years, Jeanne; children, Tom (Deb) Williams of Eden Prairie, Joan (Gregg) Goeden of Wadena, Janet Schneeberger (Mike Cooney) of Fergus Falls, and Carol (Jim) Klaphake of Sauk Centre; nine grandchildren, Nick & Jonathan Goeden, Emily Williams, Ben Williams (fiancée Melanie Vong), Jesse (Kristen) Schneeberger, Jordan Schneeberger, Jena (Nick) Adams, Jill  Klaphake (fiancé Tate Nelson) and Megan Klaphake; two great-grandsons, Noah Williams and Theo Adams; sister, Vera Arneson of Burnsville; brother, Bob (Bernie) Williams of Alexandria; as well as numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his parents, John & Margaret Williams; sisters, Dorothy Maus and Betty (Imdieke) Botz; niece, Stephanie Williams; and nephew, Chuck Imdieke.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Care Center Activities Department of Centra-Care Sauk Centre. George’s family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at Centra Care-Sauk Centre Care Center for all their dedication and care.