Willie Kalal, age 75
Willie Kalal, of Prior Lake, passed away peacefully at his home on August 17, 2016 at the age of 75, after losing his battle with kidney cancer. A visitation was held on Monday, August 22, 2016 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM at Ballard- Sunder Funeral & Cremation in Prior Lake. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 11:00 AM with visitation one-hour prior at St. Michael Catholic Church in Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker presided. Pallbearers for Willie were his grandchildren, Erica Bohnsack, Alecia Bohnsack, Allison Stocker, Dylan Stocker and Bennett Pease, and honorary pallbearers were dear friends, Mike Simon, Troy Beam, Stacy Peterson, Kevin Kadrlik and Mark Hennen. Military honors were provided by the Prior Lake VFW Honor Guard, Post #6208. Following Mass, Willie was cremated, and burial was held at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 3:00 PM.
On March 21, 1941, William and Beatrice (Friedges) Kalal celebrated the birth of their son, William Joseph Kalal. Willie was the youngest of five children, and he loved growing up with his siblings, Ray, Leroy, Leonard and Mary. Willie grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Credit River Township where he spent many hours milking cows and helping with chores. This is how Willie developed his strong work ethic. Willie attended grade school in New Market and Lakeville High School. When his older brothers left home to serve in the armed forces, Willie spent all of his time helping his parents run the farm. He enlisted in the United States Army National Guard in December 1963. Willie completed his basic training and began his military service. Willie proudly served our country for six years. He was honorably discharged in December 1969.
As a young man, Willie met a lovely young woman at a wedding reception. That woman was Marilyn Riesgraf, and she became the love of his life. After dating for three years, Willie and Marilyn exchanged wedding vows on November 21, 1964 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Jordan.Willie and Marilyn settled in Prior Lake to raise their family where they have lived for nearly 50 years. They were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Julie and Michelle.
Willie provided a good life for his family. He was a hard worker and a dedicated employee. In 1966, he began working at Thermo King in Bloomington where he made many lifelong friends. Willie worked there for 33 years as a machinist before retiring at the age of 58. Willie only stayed “retired” for one year before he began working at Napa delivering parts two days a week. He loved the people he worked with and always enjoyed visiting with the customers on his delivery route.
In his spare time, Willie loved feeding the birds, tending to his flowers, pheasant hunting and fishing. Throughout the years, he took many memorable hunting trips to the Dakotas, Iowa and all over Minnesota. He was a member of the Caribou Club in Le Seuer. Willie also loved ice fishing in the winter and pan fishing in the summer. When he wasn’t hunting or fishing, Willie was watching a hockey game on tv, attending grandkids sporting events or spending time with his friends. He and Marilyn were long time members of two card clubs. They spent more than 50 years in one club and 25 years in the other. Willie also loved hosting his friends for Happy Hour. They’d sit around the kitchen table just enjoying each other’s company as he served his latest food and drink concoctions.
Willie had many interests in his life, but he was most passionate about his family. He loved his wife and daughters, and he was the best grandpa. Willie had a wonderful relationship with each of his grandkids. Willie was a generous and caring man. He had a zest for life and loved living it to the fullest. He will be remembered always by his loving wife of 51 years, Marilyn; daughters, Julie (Jim) Lloyd and Michelle (Nathan) Pease; grandchildren, Erica, Alecia, Allison, Dylan, Bennett, Lizzy, Katie and Savannah; siblings, Leonard (Rita) Kalal and Mary Hennen; sister- in-law, Phyllis Kalal; other loving relatives, nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
Willie is preceded in death by an infant daughter; parents, William and Beatrice; brothers, Ray (Jane) Kalal and Leroy Kalal; nephew, Mike Hennen. Arrangements by Ballard Sunder Funeral & Cremation, Prior Lake. BallardSunderFuneral.com
