Willard Rodney Yliniemi

Willard ‘Will’ Rodney Yliniemi, age 76, passed away peacefully at his home in rural Osage, Minnesota on April 27, 2023. Willard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, neighbor, and friend to many. Willard was born January 23, 1947 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota to William and Eleanor (Nelson) Yliniemi. He grew up on a dairy farm in rural Toad Lake Township and graduated from Frazee High School in 1965. After beginning at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, Willard was drafted into the U.S. Army, served as a medic in Vietnam, and was honorably discharged in 1969 to complete his Agronomy degree. Willard Yliniemi married Janice (Hill) on April 3, 1970, and they raised their family on their rural Shell Lake Township farm. Willard worked as an instructor at M State Technical College in Detroit Lakes for twelve years and then went on to serve as an agent for the Minnesota Extension Service in Becker and Hubbard Counties for 22 years. He especially enjoyed his work for Hubbard County and the University of Minnesota. Willard enjoyed sheep and beef farming, hunting and fishing, and time spent with family and friends. He will be remembered for his stories, sense of humor, candor, and faith. Willard is survived by his wife of 53 years, Janice, daughter Tiffany (Dan) Besonen, son Luke (Kelly) Yliniemi, son Seth (Julie) Yliniemi, son Will (Jennifer) Yliniemi, 18 grandchildren: Dalton, Alexis, Anna, Kaylee, Makenna, Natasha, Tyson, Jacoby, Caeden, Kelsey, Julia, Tristan, Shantessa, Lane, Tarah, Blayne, Trey, Kya, sister Margaret (Warren) Hepokoski, brother-in-law Ken Hillstrom, sister Judy (Glen) Hill, brother James (Mary) Ylinieml, brother Bill Yliniemi, and many dear friends, relatives, and brothers and sisters in faith. He is preceded in death by his parents William and Eleanor Yliniemi, step mother Helen Yliniemi, sister Linda Hillstrom, and sister-in-law Ruth Ann Yliniemi. Visitation will be held on May 5th, 6-8pm, at Pickerel Lake Apostolic Lutheran Church in rural Wolf Lake, Minnesota. Visitation will continue May 6th at 10am, with funeral service beginning at 11am. Balmi Cemetery burial and church lunch to follow the service. (Arrangements made by Jones-Pearson Funeral Home of Park Rapids.) This link is directions to the church: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eZMpZBv6Fjz2dqAW9?g_st=ig