LEIF GORDON WILLER

Leif Gordon Willer, 92, of Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away at his residence Monday, Jan. 14, 2002.
He was born Aug. 28, 1909 in Foldahl Township, Marshall County, Mn., the son of John and Oline (Hamstead) Willer.
Leif immigrated with his parents in 1924 to homestead in North Battleford, Sask., where he learned to do blacksmithing and carpentry on the farm. He moved to Emo, Ont. in 1934 and married Eleanor May Oliver on Nov. 7, 1934.
Leif worked in logging camps and doing construction. In 1940, he built one of the first tourist camps at Sioux Narrows, Ont. for Cy Young.
He also worked as a construction foreman at Steep Rock Iron Mines. In 1944, he move his family to Fort Frances, working as a foreman for Paul Lawrence Construction Company in the paper mill.
Leif started Willer Construction in 1952 and Willer Lumber in 1955.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved his garden and flowers, and being active in the local Horticultural Society, Sons of Norway, and the Orange Lodge.
He loved to dance, and did so until he was 90.
He is survived by one son, Gordon (Dorothy) Willer of DePere, Wis.; and one daughter, Janet (Peter) Wilkins of Fort Frances, Ont.
Also surviving are six grandchildren, Martin (Joanne) Willer, Joan Willer and special friend, Mark Prust, David Willer, Marion (Randy) Beamish, Sandra (Kevin) Enns, and Mark (Andrea) Wilkins; five great-grandchildren, Joseph and Nicholas Willer, Alexandria and Nicholas Enns, and Tristan Beamish; one brother, Phillip (Hazel) Willer; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor, on May 27, 1985; infant son, Edwin; parents, John and Oline Willer; brothers, Carl, Russell, and Kenneth Willer; and sister, Alice Farrow.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 19, 2002 at 2 p.m. at St. John’s Anglican Church in Fort Frances. Fr. Wayne McIntosh will officiate, with interment in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances.
Friends may visit Friday, Jan. 18, 2002 from 7 until 8 p.m. at Green Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Martin Willer, David Willer, Mark Wilkins, Randy Beamish, Kevin Enns, and Mark Prust.
Honourary pallbearers will be Ed Sletmoen, Bert Oliver, Doug McLeod, Elmer Norlund, Ken Munn, and Don Hammond.