Virgil Elmore Buland, 87, passed peacefully in his sleep on Sunday Jan.1, 2017.

He was born Nov. 4, 1929, to the late Minnie (Vold) and Joseph Buland in Forest City, Iowa, and was raised in Brownsdale, Minnesota. He served stateside in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and after being honorably discharged, returned to Brownsdale where he and his wife of 61 years, LaVonne (Kraushaar), farmed and raised their family until retiring to Arizona in 1994.

He was the beloved husband of LaVonne; loving father of David (Tiew-Eng) Buland of Crowley, Texas, Roger (Paige) Buland of Mountain View, California, Carol (Steven) Jones of Joliet, Illinois, and Donna (Brian) Cook of Lakefield, Minnesota; devoted grandfather of Alton Virgil (Cecily) Buland, Khim Kjelland, the late Melisse Buland (2006); Joseph, Nathan and Jacob (Michelé) Buland; Terri Norris, William (fiancé Angela DeCraene) Jones, Amanda (Jason) McCallister; Jason (fiancé Anna Schulte) Cook and Justin (Katrina) Cook; proud great-grandfather of 10; dear brother of LeRoy (late Marlis) Buland of Noblesville, Indiana, the late Gene (Marilee and late Marilyn) Buland of Omaha, Nebraska, the late Jay Buland of Brownsdale; and fond uncle and great-uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Virgil will be remembered fondly as a dedicated family man who was hardworking, steadfast, kind, and humble. He was recognized as the Minnesota Swine Producer of the Year in 1969, and former board member of Freeborn Mower Co-op. He enjoyed camping, horseshoes, square dancing, playing cards, water volleyball and traveling.

Funeral services for Virgil Buland will be held on Thursday Jan. 5, 2017, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.) in Joliet. Visitation will be at 2 p.m., with funeral and military honors at 3 p.m. Interment will take place at a later date.

For information (815) 741-5500 or visit his book of memories at www.fredcdames.com