Wesley W Cornish

Wesley Warren Cornish, age 96, of Vernon Center, died Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at Mankato House Health Care Center.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 11, 2009 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Vernon Center with Rev. Vance Milbrath officiating. Burial will be in Vernon Center Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Friday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at church on Saturday.

Wesley was born April 13, 1913 to Ora Warren and Eva (Briggs) Cornish in Vernon Center. He grew up and went to school in Milaca, MN. Wes and his brother, Jesse, later signed on with the Civilian Conservation Corps and helped build Gooseberry Falls Park on Lake Superior. He was united in marriage to Irene Pahl on September 19, 1935 in Vernon Center. They made their home in Vernon Center, where they farmed and had a painting and decorating business.

Wes enjoyed hunting, fishing, and restoring his Model A and Model T Fords. He especially loved music, and played both the guitar and harmonica at family gatherings and social events.

Wesley is survived by his nine children, Sharon (Gordon) Larson of Brooklyn Park, Wayne (Kathy) Cornish of rural Nicollet, Maureen Sens of Hopkins, Jerry (Rita) Cornish of rural Vernon Center, Michelle (William) Negaard of rural Vernon Center, Greg (Barbara) Cornish of Nice, CA, Michael Cornish of rural Vernon Center, Tony Cornish of Good Thunder, and Denise (Robert) Grant of Winnebago; twenty one grandchildren; thirty three great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews.

Wesley was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Irene on November 9, 2001; brother, Jessie F. (Sylvia) Cornish; and several grandchildren.