Willard DeGroat

Willard Wilson DeGroat, Sr., 74, resident of Ogema, MN, died Sunday, December 6, 2015 at 2:45am at a care center in Moorhead, MN after a long battle with congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease.  The nurses there will certainly miss his charm & humor.   Willard was born November 29, 1941 to Floyd and Eleanor DeGroat.  He was raised and educated in rural Callaway, MN. After a brief stint in the Army he worked for Giant Foods.  Sadly he suffered a stroke, early in his life that left him disabled.  Despite his disability, he enjoyed the simple things in life like homemade chocolate cake, pumpkin pie, and sipping a hot cup of coffee.  At any given time, if asked, Willard would tell you "I haven't eaten in four or five days," so he may get more home-cooked treats.  He enjoyed tapping his feet to music, loved fishing, cutting grass with his brother, and spending time with his family.  He was a pool shark, known to have taken a goat as payment when his opponent couldn't pay up!   Willard will be remembered and missed by all who loved him including his brothers Clarence DeGroat of Odenton, MD, and Floyd DeGroat of Ogema, MN, as well as the love of his life and mother of his children, Linda Riner of Ada, MN, son, Willard DeGroat, Jr., son, Jeff Riner, daughter Wanda Philippy  son, David DeGroat, daughter Lucinda DeGroat, daughter, Katie DeGroat, son, Daniel DeGroat and step-daughter Carlene (Riner) Smith.  He is also survived by and will be missed by many nieces and nephews and his very special grandchildren whom he loved so much, Kendra, Gage, Jeff, Jr., Jason, Nicholas, Brandon, Cassandra, and Jessica, and great grand children Vada, Kendyl and Gage.   He is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Eleanor DeGroat, brothers, Harry DeGroat, Glenn DeGroat, Donald DeGroat, & Johnny DeGroat, sister, Clarine Vivian (Wright) Welch, sister-in-law Amy DeGroat, daughter Lisa DeGroat, and his loving & loyal puppy, Princess.   In his final act of generosity and kindness, Willard donated his corneas and will restore sight to two people living with blindness so that they may appreciate a sunrise or sunset, look upon a loving smile, or get lost in a good book.   We will all miss you dearly, Pops.  Funeral Services will be held on Friday, December 11, 2015, at 11:00 am at David Donehower Funeral Home and will include a Prayer Service.   A Memorial Reception will follow at the Detroit Lakes VFW.

Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501

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Previous Events

Visitation
Friday, December 11, 2015
Service
Friday, December 11, 2015

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