Willard K. Severson

WILLARD SPECIFICALLY WROTE IN HIS JOURNAL THAT HIS WISHES AT HIS DEATH TO HAVE THOSE WHO FEEL SO INCLINED TO GIVE, NOT TO SEND FLOWERS, BUT TO SEND THEIR MEMORIAL GIFTS TO THE NEBRASKA KIDNEY ASSOCIATION (PO BOX 42, MINDEN, NE 68959) IN REMEMBRANCE OF HIS CHILDREN'S LIVES OR TO ST. KATHERINE-DREXEL CATHOLIC CHURCH IN C/O HUTCHINS FUNERAL HOME, FRANKLIN.

Willard Kevin John Severson was born September 15, 1953, in Minneapolis, MN, to Rosalia R. (Pilgram) Severson and the late Wayne Gerhardt Severson, who passed away five-months before Willard was born. His family moved to Bloomington, NE, in 1958 after his mother remarried Willard’s step-father, John Henry Carney. Willard died at home in Bloomington, August 21, 2024.

 Willard grew up on the family farm near Bloomington and attended Bloomington Public Schools through the 8th grade and then attended—and graduated from—Franklin High School in 1971. Willard attended Kearney State College, Kearney, NE, for one year, Hastings Technical College for a few months in the welding program, then returned home to work on the family farm. During his college years, he played bass guitar in the rock band “Breakwater”, which undoubtedly contributed to his being hard of hearing in later years.

 He was united in marriage to Diane Fay Stratman on October 12, 1974, and to this union two children, Kristi Marie and Ryan Matthew, were born. He and Diane would later divorce and go their separate ways.

 Willard left the family farm after deciding that farm life was not for him. He worked a variety of jobs, including construction, farm laborer, heavy equipment operator, and grain elevator employee until he got his CDL and started driving truck. He drove for different companies over the next 25 to 30 years traveling all over the United States.

 Willard left trucking in 2010 after the loss of his daughter, Kristi, to be able to spend more time with his son, Ryan, and began employment with the Franklin County Road Department. Unfortunately, Ryan passed away in 2017. Willard continued working at the County.

 Out of the tragedy of losing both his children, was born the “Kruisin’ for Kidneys” Poker Run, an annual event that successfully took place for five years. All monies raised were donated to the Nebraska Kidney Association in memory of Kristi and Ryan.

 In June of 2021, after being alone for 37 years, Willard reconnected with his college sweetheart, Margaret Ruth (Todd) Pond, and on August 20th of that year, they married and began their new life together, making their home near Bloomington, NE. September 30th of that same year, Willard retired from the County Road Department so they could “GET BUSY LIVING”, enjoy traveling and growing old together. Everywhere they went, Willard would tell strangers their “love story.” A friend said they crammed 48-years of lost love into three wonderful years. The couple celebrated their third anniversary on Tuesday and he passed away early the next morning.

 Not one to be idle, after completing many projects to update their property, Willard returned to part-time work helping local farmer Ian James, and mowing roads, driving maintainer and hauling gravel for the County. He was still working part-time at the County before he died.

 Willard enjoyed the great outdoors. He loved to hunt, fish, play golf, and truly enjoyed nature itself. His greatest passion was riding his motorcycle and he enjoyed the many trips and time spent with the “Over the Hill” gang, the “Wrong Way” gang and the “Wild Hogs”. Because of health challenges, he took his last ride in the fall of 2023 and sold his bike.

 He looked forward every winter to participating in the Republican Valley Pitch League, following in his parent’s footsteps. He loved games—cards, foosball, corn hole, and played games on his phone as often as he could. Margie teased him constantly about this, but on the inside, she was happy that he found it relaxing and it entertained him whenever he had to wait.

 He enjoyed bartending at various places throughout the years; this provided him the opportunity to visit with people, share stories, laugh, cry, etc. He never met a stranger! And, he loved kids! As soon as he laid eyes on them, he turned to speak to and tease them. He was known by many as Papa Willard, Grandpa Willard, Uncle Willard, and Uncle Popcorn, to name a few.

 Willard was a life-long member of the Catholic Church, serving as a lector and acolyte at St. Katharine Drexel in Franklin, NE, for many years. Despite all the difficult times he endured, Willard’s devotion to the church and his faith in the Lord remained strong and solid.

 He was preceded in death by his children, Kristi and Ryan, his parents, Wayne and Rose (Carney) Severson, his step-dad, Henry Carney, brother Wayne S. Severson, niece Stephanie Severson, and one great niece Lydia Joy Winne. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Margie, older brother Wally (Carol), sister-in-law Susan (Wayne) Severson, many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and his faithful dog Jezebell. Willard made friends everywhere he went, so the list goes on and on of those who mourn his passing and will truly miss ALL his stories and HUGE hugs. In fact, when Margie called to cancel appointments and notify folks of his death, almost everyone who answered the phone got teary-eyed.

 In lieu of flowers, Willard requested that donations be made to the Nebraska Kidney Foundation in memory of his children who died of a rare form of kidney disease, and to St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Franklin, NE.

 He was interned in Maple Grove Cemetery, Bloomington, NE, with a sleeve of Callaway golf balls and a bottle of O’Doul’s so he was ready to tee off when he arrived in heaven!

 The Harley-Davidson motto, “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” Willard would add, “So, get busy living!”