Willard C. Grablander, age 99 years and 9 months, passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Fort Meade VA Hospital. He was born on January 11, 1925, to William and Henrietta (Roth) Grablander in Lewiston, MN.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 18, 2024, from 5-7 PM, with a prayer service at 7. The Funeral service is Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 10:30 AM all at Miller Funeral Home Downtown Chapel, 507 S. Main Ave. Interment will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Willard graduated from Todd County High School in 1942. He joined the United States Army in 1943 and served in Europe until 1946. During his service, Willard met Amy Wareing at a radio supply shop in Liverpool. Willard and Amy were married in July of 1946 in Rapid City, SD. After returning from the military, he attended college at the South Dakota School of Mines and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1949. After graduation, he opened his own electrical wiring, radio repair, appliance, and hardware business on Main Street in Mission, SD, which he ran for over 50 years before retiring. Amy ran the shop while Willard worked as an electrician, house builder, refrigeration serviceman, owner and operator of a concrete ready-mix plant and a lumber yard. He was a multi-talented man and was referred to as the "Wizard" for his ability to either build or repair anything he encountered. In his later working career, he achieved a Master's degree in Education from Black Hills State University and taught electrical wiring and electronics for several years in the Todd County School system vocational program.

Amy and Willard had five children: Jeff, Pam, Gregory, Cathy, and Timothy. In his younger years, Willard loved aviation, earned his private pilot license, and owned a 1965 Piper Cherokee aircraft. He frequently transported family and friends and often flew with his youngest son, Timothy, and their beloved black labrador "Duke". Willard especially enjoyed his pet dogs over his lifetime and often spoke of a dog named "Prince" that he had in his teen years. Amy and Willard traveled back to England to visit family for several years, and he especially enjoyed traveling to just about any new destination. Amy passed away in October of 1998, and Willard made his home in Mission with his son Timothy, wife Terri, and grandchildren for his remaining years. Later in life, he enjoyed building small RC planes, traveling, spending time with the grandchildren, especially Timmi, Travis, Tristan, and Anne, and having his daily coffee breaks with family and friends. As Willard's health and sight began to fail in the later years, Terri was Willard's primary caretaker and took loving care of Willard full-time at home. Terri and Tim saw Willard through numerous hospitalizations, ER, and doctor's visits over the years. Willard's daughter, Pam, assisted with Willard's care when he spent time in Sioux Falls. Willard spent his remaining nine months at the Ft. Meade VA Community Living Center, Sturgis, SD, in the excellent care of the doctors, nurses, and support staff.

Grateful to have shared his life are his children, Jeff (Karen) Grablander, Pam Rawsthorne, Gregory (Vicky) Grablander, Cathy (Steve) Moses, and Timothy (Terri) Grablander; 17 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Amy Grablander, brother John Grablander, and granddaughter Tammara Grablander.

To watch Willard's funeral service please click on the link: https://youtube.com/live/UAcehmOLaY0?feature=share