Date : 24 Aug 2011
Location :
Sioux City
Jack L. Willson, 80, longtime Sioux City resident, died Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011, at his residence in South Sioux City after a lengthy illness.
Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Michael Erpelding officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online at www.meyerbroschapels.com.
Jack was born July 3, 1931, in Mitchell, S.D., the son of Gordon and Helena (Helstern) Willson. He moved to Sioux City at a young age with his family. He attended Trinity High School and was in the first graduating class from Heelan High School in 1950.
On Jan. 12, 1951, he married his best friend and soulmate, Doris A. Marshall. To that union, five children were born, Ron, Cathy, Sandy, Bill and Becky.
Jack owned and operated Willson Signs for many years. He was a talented man who enjoyed oil painting, wood crafting and making handmade memorable gifts for his family. He also enjoyed old western movies, fishing, camping and going to the "doggies." Most of all, he loved making special memories with his family and being called "Papa" by his grandchildren. Jack was an avid Heelan and Notre Dame fan. He even named his pet dog, "Knute," after Knute Rockne, a former Notre Dame coach.
Survivors include his wife of more than 60 years, Doris; two sons and their wives, Ron (Anette) Willson of McCook Lake, S.D., and Bill (Sheila) Willson of Sioux City; three daughters and their husbands, Cathy (Steve) Allan of Sioux City, Sandy (Jack) Sell of Dakota City and Becky (Scott) Rumohr of Moville, Iowa; 15 grandchildren, Tricia (Josh) Snyder, Joe Robertson, Stacie Butler (fiance Eric Bishop), Carrie (Nick) Wingert, Sara (Ben) Sweeney, Kasey (Billie Jo) Willson, Katie Willson, Elizabeth Rumohr, Lindsay Allan (fiancé Tim Green), Jeff Allan, Beau Henry, Jordan Henry, Joe Willie Willson, Tracy (Brian) Ellinger and Kristin Sell (special friend Mike Robinette); a brother, Don Willson of Sioux City; a sister and her husband, Rosemary (Cork) Grenier of Sioux City; 19 great-grandchildren and a great-granddaughter on the way; and many nieces and nephews.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Leo, George and Dale Willson; a sister, Helen Regynski; and a granddaughter-in-law, Brandy Robertson.
The family thanks Hospice of Siouxland, especially Amy and Doris of Hospice, and to everyone who helped take care of Jack.
Sioux City Journal - Aug 23, 2011
