Arthur Willaert

Arthur R. Willaert, age 75, of Mankato, MN, died Friday, September 29, 2006 at Immanuel-St. Josephs Hospital.

A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Arts life and death will be held at 1:30 pm at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church on Tuesday, October, 3, 2006. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 pm at Mankato Mortuary. Rosary will be recited at 3:45 pm. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Echo Food Shelf, Abbott Northwestern Heart Institute, or Sister Kinney Institute. Mankato Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

Art was born on October 3, 1930, to Cyril Henry and Theresa (Depuydt) Willaert. He attended the local area Catholic School. He and his father and brothers farmed together in Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties for many years. He married Lois Swedberg of Lake Crystal in 1952, and together they raised 8 children. He continued to farm as he enjoyed working the land but also became a business partner with Bob Warrant in Tire Associates in 1975. As a softball sponsor and avid fan, Art was inducted into the Mankato Softball Hall of fame in 1994. Art enjoyed numerous activities including socializing with his coffee club buddies, playing cards, telling jokes, mowing the lawn, tinkering with his farm equipment, and cruising in his Cadillac Convertible; however, he gained the most enjoyment through spending time with his family and friends. He was a true family man in every sense. Arts grandchildren were a great source of pride for him, and he celebrated in their accomplishments in the various activities in which they participated.

Art is survived by his wife of 54 years Lois (Swedberg) Willaert, 5 sons, 3 daughters and 17 grandchildren: David (Dianne) Willaert of Good Thunder, and children Jessica (Mark Boweak), Tara (Jurrel Simmons), and Eric; Steven (Sue) Willaert of Mankato, and children, Chad and Kelli (Joel Hollerich); Duane (Pat) Willaert of Henderson, and children Amanda (Luke Stoffel), and Carl; Jeff (Jan) Willaert of Mankato, and children, Danny, Emily, Tony and Sean; Mike (Lisa) Willaert of Mankato, and children, Lindsey and Megan; Terri Willaert of Coon Rapids; Cindy Willaert of Mankato; and Cheryl (David) Menke of Mankato, and children, Nicole, Jaqueline, Jamie, and Allison. He is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren with two more on the way; 4 brothers: Robert (Mary) Willaert of St. Peter, Frank (Kaye) Willaert of Mankato, Andrew (Fran) Willaert of Chaska, Leon (Dorothy) Willaert of LeSueur, 2 sisters: Joan Mikolai of Wells, and Ignatia (Peter) Seys of Janesville, and 1 sister-in-law, Armella Willaert and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, Joe Willaert and Lawrence Willaert, 1 sister, Marie Willaert, several brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-law, and several cousins, nieces and nephews.