Wesley J. “Pete” Root, 89
Wesley “Pete” Root, 89, formerly of Spring Valley died on July 19, 2008 under the gentle care at Sunrise Cottages in Rochester where he had resided for the past two years.
Pete was born April 27, 1919 in Racine, Minn., to Mel and Helen (Johnson) Root. On June 16, 1939 he was united in marriage to Helen Born at the Zion Lutheran Church in Spring Valley and together they farmed in the Spring Valley and Racine areas. After Helens death in 1999 he was united in marriage to Ivyll Hanson-Paulson at BearCreek Lutheran Church in July of 2000 she passed away in 2006. Along with farming Pete also worked at Krugels Gas Service in Spring Valley where he delivered propane starting in 1957 until his retirement, he continued to work for Krugels following his retirement doing seasonal deliveries for many years. After his retirement from Krugels he also worked for Hanson Family Farms – Grand Meadow.
In his early year he enjoyed playing softball and then bowling, fishing, playing cards, dancing, mowing lawn (Sometimes just to make tracks in the grass). He was a member of Bear Creek Lutheran Church, Bear Creek Mens Club, Yomaco and The Farm Bureau. He enjoyed going for drives to Forrestville to see the Deer and the Turkeys and was fondly known to many as “Grandpa Grumps”.
Pete was one of 11 children and was very proud to be part of the Root family.
He is survived by two daughters, Sharon Root, Rochester, Minn., and Carolyn (Larry) Baker of Neligh, Neb.; three grandchildren Wayne (Tracy) Pollock, Dean (Leann) Eddy and Donna (Curt) Parker; 10 great-grandchildren; Brandon, Brogun, Daniel, Nathan, Dillon Annabelle, Andrew, Noel, Elise and Jack; seven siblings; Gene (Glendora) Root, Bloomington, Minn., Maynard (Phyllis) Root, Austin, Merton (Marlene) Root, Ostrander, Minn., Allan (Betty) Root, Rochester, Minn., Roger (Kathy) Root, Wabasha, Minn., Eilene Churchill, Spring Valley, Minn., Joyce (Howard) Turbenson Spring Valley, Minn.; sister-in-law; Delores Root, St Louis Park, Minn.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Helen in 1999; second wife, Ivyll in 2006; two brothers Clare and Warren; sister Ruth; sister-in-law, Vivian and tree brothers-in-law; Charles, Robert and Bud.
Memorial services for Wesley J “Pete” Root will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday July 23, 2008 at the Bear Creek Lutheran Church in Frankford Twp. Mower County with the Rev Glen Bickford officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call at the Hindt Funeral Home in Spring Valley from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday and one hour prior to the service at the church.