Willmar C. Haerter

WILLMAR (WILLIE) HAERTER Willmar Clarence Haerter, 86 of Cooperstown, ND passed away October 14, 2010 at his home under the care of Red River Hospice. Willmar was born March 21, 1924 in Ashley, ND the son of Gottlieb and Amalia (Walz) Haerter. He grew up and attended school there and graduated from Ashley High School. He then attended Hansen Mechanical Trade School. He married Merle Loomis September 3, 1950 in Sherwood, ND. The couple moved to Cooperstown where Willie and his brother Paul ran a woodworking shop. In 1952 Willie was elected Griggs County Sheriff, an office he held until 1961. He built, owned, and operated Crescent Lanes Bowling Center and Restaurant in Cooperstown, ND until 1968. He then began carpentry and construction in the Cooperstown area until 1970. From 1970 to 1986 he worked for Swingen Construction as a carpenter, carpenter foreman, and a bridge superintendent. He then became Griggs County Road Supervisor retiring in 1990. The couple has made their home in Cooperstown for the past sixty years. Willie was very active in the Cooperstown Community; a member of the Griggs County Historical Society, Griggs County Council for the Arts, and Knights of Pythias. He was a volunteer for the Cooperstown Fire Department. Willie also served on building committees for Trinity Lutheran Church and the Cooperstown Swimming Pool. He was past President of the Cooperstown Country Club and was a member for over 60 years. Willie enjoyed family activities, golfing, gardening, and woodworking. He is survived by his wife Merle, Cooperstown, ND; three daughters, Barbara (Craig) Larson, Omaha, NE; Connie (Jerry) Stokka, Cooperstown, ND; Susan (Cole) Seaborn, Dent, MN; two sons, Merville (Betty) Haerter, O’Fallon, IL; David (Jane) Haerter, West Fargo, ND; two sisters, Esther Drefs, Ashley, ND; Hilda Retzer, Ashley, ND; one brother, Paul Haerter, Williston, ND; fifteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Willie was preceded in death by his parents Gottlieb and Amalia Haerter; four sisters Barbara Kraemer, Ruth Groszhans, Anna Marie Haerter, and Ella Viola Haerter; and one grandson Jacob Daniel Haerter. Funeral Services will be held Monday, October 18, 2010 at 11:00 am in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cooperstown, ND. Visitation will be Sunday from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm in the Quam-Plaisted-Cushman Funeral Home in Cooperstown, ND and will continue one hour prior to services in the Church. A Prayer Service will be held Sunday at 7:00 pm in the Quam-Plaisted-Cushman Funeral Home in Cooperstown, ND.