Willard A Davis

Willard A. Davis, age 86 of Mankato died Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at his home due to cancer.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday, October 8 at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mankato, Rev. Keith Siverly officiating. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Burial will be at Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery following the funeral. Memorials may be given to St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, the American Cancer Society, or to an organization of the donor's choice.

Willard was born near Lake Crystal on September 14, 1918 to William and Daisy (Smith) Davis. He attended Lake Crystal High School. Willard married Gladys Heiser on November 29, 1939. Willard and Gladys farmed near Lake Crystal until 1954. They purchased a farm west of North Mankato and operated it until Willard began working as a tire mechanic and later a truck driver. After he retired from Mankato Corporation, they lived in Nicollet, then near Eagle Lake and finally in Mankato. He loved his family, dancing, German old-time polka, waltz, classic country music and Bandwagon. He enjoyed livestock auctions, raising horses and gardening.

Willard is survived by his wife, Gladys; one son, Dennis and his wife, Pamela of Mankato; grandson, Brent and his wife, Crystal of Rochester; a nephew, William Ulrich and his wife, Doreen of Iowa; and a cousin, Ruby Buck of Ames, Iowa. Willard was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Wilhelmina and Ethel; and three brothers, John, Robert and Haden.