Willard Anton Jarvi was born to Anton and Fannie Jarvi at their home in Cokato Township on October 15, 1922. He attended school through the ninth grade and spent the next several years working on the family farm.
Willard enlisted in the United States Army in January 1943 at the age of 20. He served in the European and Mediterranean theaters with the 5th and 7th armies in World War II. He reached the rank of Private First Class and was honorably discharged in November 1945.
Following the war, Willard continued working on the farm and for Cokato Township grading and repairing the roads in the summer and
plowing the roads in the winter. For a short time he worked at the John Mansville factory in Chicago. He returned to Minnesota and worked for Sico, Inc. from 1957 until his retirement in 1983.
On January 18, 1964 Willard married Carol Peterson. They moved to north Minneapolis where their son Troy was born on October 18, 1964. After his retirement, he and Carol moved back to Cokato where he lived until his death.
Willard loved fishing, fishing and fishing in the lakes around the Cokato area. He and Carol spent many hours in their boat; his prize catch was a 21-pound Northern. In addition to being a fisherman, he was an avid bowler and bowled on a league for many years. In his later years, he enjoyed spending time at the Marketplace, chatting and catching up with friends.
Willard passed away at the St. Cloud VA hospital on January 21 at the age of 90 after a short illness. He is preceded in death by his wife Carol, his parents, brothers Walter and Paul and sisters Martha, Elma and Verna. He is survived by son Troy, daughter-in-law Suzanne, grandsons Ian and Reid, brothers Ed and Ray and many nephews, nieces and in-laws. He was a caring father, doting grandfather and a good man. He will be deeply missed.
Funeral service: Friday, January 25, 2013, 2pm at North Crow River Lutheran Church, North of Cokato.
Visitation: 1 hour prior to services at the church.
Interment: Cokato Finnish Cemetery immediately following service at church.