Harry “Russ” Wileman, age 89, of Prior Lake, MN, was welcomed home by The Lord on Friday, November 24, 2023, while his family surrounded him at Shakopee Friendship Manor Nursing Home.
A visitation will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023, from 5-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and on Saturday, December 2, from 10-10:45 am, with a celebration of life, at 11 am, at Zoe Church, 14300 West Burnsville Parkway, Burnsville, MN. Private family interment will take place at Spring Lake Cemetery in Prior Lake.
Harry Russell “Russ” Wileman was born in Douglas, Wyoming on July 3rd, 1934 to parents Mabel and Harry Wileman. He was the middle child of seven. When he was three years old, he moved with his family to Murdo, South Dakota where his parents owned a cattle ranch.
In 1956 Russ was drafted into the army and served two years. After receiving an honorable discharge, he came back to Shakopee, MN where his parents then resided. He was soon hired at Producer’s Container Company as a mechanic and made tin cans for Green Giant for 37 ½ years.
In 1958, Russ met his beloved wife, Pat. They were married in Shakopee, MN in 1959 and were together for 64 years. Russ and Pat settled in Prior Lake, MN where they adopted and raised five children on a 10-acre hobby farm in a house he helped to build. Family was very important to Russ and many vacations were spent driving out west to visit siblings and in-laws along the way.
Russ has a deep faith in God. Along with his wife and several others, they began a church in his living room. This church has grown to approximately 1,000 attendees each Sunday and is now known as ZOE Church. From the beginning, Russ enjoyed being a greeter at church and continued to serve God in that position until he was no longer physically able to do so. Russ and Pat also worked together for 12 years leading a Bible service at the Shakopee Women’s prison.
Throughout his life Russ had many interests from flying (commercial pilot’s license), water skiing, horseback riding and gardening. Russ was known to be able to fix/make anything work. He once drove from the middle of Montana to Minnesota after using a paperclip to temporarily repair a part of the engine. During his later years, Russ could be found reading his “notebooks” in which he had recorded many daily and important events throughout his life. They were a great comfort to him, and he enjoyed reading bits and pieces to his children and grandchildren during family events.
Russ will be forever loved and missed by his wife, Pat; children, Bret (Kris) Wileman, Crystal Wileman, Lance Wileman, Kerri Baker, Kim Hubbard; grandchildren, Tina (Noah Amnuayphol) Friesen, Susan (Devon) Mickels, Gunner Baker; many sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives and friends.
Russ is preceded by parents, Harry and Mabel; brothers and sisters, Donovan, Boyd, Yvonne, Dale, Wynona, and Daryl.
In Lieu of flowers memorials are preferred and will be donated by family to Kingdom Builders.
