Willmer Volkert

Willmer Theodore Volkert, age 94, of Randolph, died Friday, April 13, 2018 at the Mayo Clinic Health System, Cannon Falls.

Willmer was born on September 17, 1923 in Coates, MN, the son of Martin and Elsie (Bruggeman) Volkert. He attended St. John’s Lutheran School in Rich Valley. After school he began farming in the Coates area until 1942. He moved to Randolph and continued to farm from 1942 until he retired. On October 26, 1949, Willmer was united in marriage to Marilyn Engler at the Randolph Baptist Church. She preceded him in death in 2007. Willmer was also instrumental in growing PATZ, a farm automation company, in its early years, being the original District Manager and Dealer.  Willmer was also owner of Dakota Irrigation. He was a member of the Sciota Town Board (where he held the positions of Chairman and Supervisor for 38 years), served on the Cannon Valley COOP Board of Directors, and was active in Farm Bureau for many years. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Northfield.

Survivors include his children Randall (Jane) Volkert, Kenneth (Karen) Volkert, and Dean (Suzanne) Volkert; grandchildren Weston, Jordan (Josie), and Sheldon Volkert, Kayla (Bret) Otte, Kyle, Samuel, Jacqueline, and Rebecca Volkert; sisters Leona (Fred) Moore and Lucille Sjulstad; nieces and nephews.

Willmer was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Elsie, his wife Marilyn, and his brothers Arthur and Edwin Volkert.

Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:30 am with the memorial service beginning at 11:30 am on Saturday, April 28, 2018.  Both the visitation and memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 803 Winona St., Northfield, MN  55057.

The family is being assisted by the Lundberg Funeral Home of Cannon Falls, MN.  Online condolences are welcome at www.lundbergfuneral.com.