Wilfred "Willie" Mahowald

Wilfred “Willie” Mahowald, age 93, of Shakopee, MN, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at Carver Ridge Assisted Living, in Carver, MN.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 4:30 PM, with a gathering starting at 3:00 PM, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (833 South Marschall Road) in Shakopee, MN. Pastor David Trautmann will preside. Wilfred will be laid to rest at a private family burial at Guardian Angels Catholic Cemetery, in Chaska, MN.

Wilfred Francis was born on May 31, 1931, in Garrison, North Dakota to Isidor and Estella Mahowald. He was the third of twelve children. His family moved to Shakopee, MN, where he attended St Mark's Catholic School until eighth grade and later earned his GED in 1975. Willie spent his time making and delivering bricks with his buddy. He developed a love for music early, learning to play the guitar and harmonica and performing in local bars.

Willie married Marian Welter on July 5, 1952, in Minneapolis, MN. On July 10, 1952, he proudly served as a mechanic in the United States Army during the war, stationed in Japan. After returning, Willie and Marian started their family. He attended Dunwoody Institute to become a tinsmith, leading to a 37-year career at Rahr Malting in Shakopee, MN.

Willie converted a 1958 GMC bus into a motorhome for family travels. They cherished camping with relatives, spending Sundays at their homes, enjoying food and conversations while kids played. Willie and Marian liked playing cards with neighbors. He enjoyed playing horseshoes and fishing by the lake.

In their later years, Willie and Marian developed an interest in square dancing, tried their luck at the casino, and enjoyed playing bingo. After Willie retired, they spent their winters in Texas and later in Arizona. On July 14, 2014, Willie experienced the profound loss of Marian's passing. He remarried Victoria Antil on December 30, 2015, at St. Wenceslaus in New Prague, MN. Together, they enjoyed playing bingo and watching the Twins and Vikings games.

Willie enjoyed working with wood, molding cars and airplanes without a pattern. He had an interest in old classic cars and appreciated being a grandfather. In 2021, Willie moved to Carver Ridge Assisted Living where he participated in the music program, bingo, and played his harmonica regularly.

Willie will forever be remembered and loved by his wife, Victoria; children, Tim (JoEtta) Mahowald, Sandy Brauson, Randy (Lynette) Mahowald, Doug (Susan) Mahowald, Jeff (Jodie) Mahowald; grandchildren, Jessica, Becky, Erica, Amanda, Michael, Ryan, Nathan, Megan, Kaitlin, Jonathan, Julie, Jill, Jaysin, Nick, Jennifer, Jordan, Jackie, Joelle, Joy, Daniel, Jayne; 32 great grandchildren; siblings, Deloris Reed, Al Mahowald, Joe (Rose) Mahowald, Shirley Geiger; sisters-in-law, Kathy Mahowald, Marlene Mahowald; brother-in-law, Frank Glynn; many beloved relatives and friends

Greeting Willie home in Heaven is his first wife, Marian; daughters-in-law, Peggy Mahowald, Kimberly Mahowald; parents, Isidor and Estella; siblings, Rosina Fessenden, Richard (Joyce) Mahowald, Marvin Mahowald, Isidor Mahowald, Joan Glynn, Mary Ann (Ron) Schafer, Donald (Bobbie) Mahowald; sister-in-law, Momie Mahowald; and brother-in-law, Jim Reed.