Willis Arthur Greeley

Willis Greeley, age 90 of Bertha, MN, died on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at CentreCare in Long Prairie, MN. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria with the Reverend John Martinson officiating. Military Honor will be performed by the American Legion Post 87, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936, Marine Corps League Detachment 1409, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 235, Minnesota National Honor Guard. A visitation will take place on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, from 5-7 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home and continue one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery near Holmes City, MN.

Willis Greeley was born on June 16, 1933 to Donald and Neva (James) Greeley in Madelia, Minnesota. He attended school until the eighth grade when he was needed full time on the family farm. Shortly after turning eighteen, Willis was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in Baltimore, Maryland. There, he met and married Gladys Pritchett and the two were married and would quickly welcome eight boys. 

Shortly after their marriage, Willis and Gladys left Maryland for Minnesota. They spent a short time back in Madelia before settling on the farm a short distance from Holmes City. Willis and his boys loved the farm life -- driving tractors, taking care of livestock and pets, and especially gardening.

In 1980, after his boys had all grown up and left the farm, Willis retired from farming and started welding and driving truck for Lowry Manufacturing. During this time, he moved around quite a bit before remaining in the Bertha, Minnesota area for the last decade.

As he aged, Willis remained an avid gardener and fisherman. He loved going to watch the races at Viking Speedway in Alexandria and kept up with his dancing every Saturday until Covid. Willis also greatly enjoyed attending flea markets and visiting with all the different vendors and shoppers. He loved caring for his animals, especially his beloved poodle Susie.

Willis remained very active, even after his heart attack that took place on his 90^th birthday this June. In February Wills started experiencing health complications and was hospitalized at CentreCare in Long Prairie, MN where he passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024; he was 90 years old.

Willis is survived by his sons: Mike (Brenda) Greeley of Avon, Dennis Greeley of Tracy, Dan (Karen) Greeley of Morris, Sam (Marsha) Greeley of Hoffman, Steven Greeley of Fridley, Robert Greeley of Glenwood, and David Greeley of Columbia Heights; many beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; as well as many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Neva Greeley; infant son, Gregory; as well as many other friends and family. 

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory of Alexandria.