Jack Willis Will

Jack Willis Will, 93, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather of Mapleton, died peacefully Thursday, August 2, 2018 at Brookdale Assisted Living, Mankato with his son, Randy, at his side.

A celebration of Jack’s life will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 13 at the United Church in Mapleton.  Visitation will be at the United Church in Mapleton 2 – 5 p.m., Sunday, August 12, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Burial will be at a later date in Union Cemetery, Mapleton. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to: Faith Bible Church, Heather Curling Club, Mayo Clinic Hospice and Maple River Burns Club. Olson – Tichenor Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. In honor of Jack, please wear Scottish plaid.

Jack Willis Will was born on the family farm on July 28, 1925 to Robert Burns Will and Elsie (Atcherson) Will. He graduated from Mapleton High School in 1943. In high school he played basketball and was captain of the team. Any newcomer to the family was quickly introduced to his scrapbook.  

He met the love of his life, Connie, on the dance floor at Bass Lake.   They were married November 9, 1946 in Easton and were married over 70 years.  Jack lived on the family farm for over 90 years. He was proud to be a farmer his entire life. 

Aye, Laddie!  A true Scotsman, Jack loved carrying on the Will tradition of entertaining audiences at the Robert Burns Program with Scottish songs for over 60 years. Jack also was a member of the Mapleton Fun Band for over 30 years. 

One of the greatest thrills of his life was to be selected as a member of the 1982 USA Curling Assn Scottish Tour. It was the first time the Americans had brought home the Herries Maxwell trophy, The team was congratulated by Queen Elizabeth II.  He was honored to represent his country as the only farmer on the tour.   

 Jack is survived by two daughters, MaryAnn Ouverson (finance’, Denny Burnett), C. Jeanie McCabe (Dennis), and one son, Randy (Mona) Will, grandchildren Ryan (Kari) Ward, Jason (Nicole) Ward, Andrew (Kaitlin) Ouverson,  Chad (Vidya) Ouverson, and Shelly (Tom) Peterson,  Molly (Ross) Dorn, and Megan (Vinh) Chung,  Jamie (Sara) Will, Kristin (Michael) Pierson, and Brian Will (special friend, Megan Iverson), and great-grandchildren Priya (Micah) Melander, Zahra, Eliada, Ezra Melander, Chandler, Lauren, and Morgan Peterson, Carlyn Ward, Ethan Netzke, and Estella Ward, Ime, Isaac and Hudson Dorn, Addison and Gavin Chung, Aubrey and Jack Will, Alexander, Will, and Luke Pierson;  brother-in-law, Garry (Katie) Senn, sisters-in-law, Elaine Senn and Dee Senn.  Preceded in death by his wife, Connie; parents, son-in-law, Hap Ouverson; siblings, Allan Will, Gwen (Bruce) McGregor, Shirley (Floyd) Runke.

The family wishes to thank the Mayo Clinic Hospice team, esp. Krista, and Chaplain Blair, the wonderful staff at Brookdale Assisted Living, and his church family of Faith Bible Church.