Herbert Palmer

Herbert "Bill" Palmer, 89, of Welch, died Saturday, August 4, 2012 surrounded by loved ones in hospice care at the Red Wing Health Center after a three year battle with prostate cancer. He was born on November 18, 1922 in Springfield, Minnesota to Hubert and Evagene (Lockwood) Palmer. He moved with his family to Northern Minnesota and attended Ball Club schools near Deer River. He often spoke about working on his family farm and logging forest up north. He had a fondness of hunting and worked as a fishing guide for resorts in the Deer River area. He then joined the US Navy after the attacks on Pearl Harbor during World War II where he served proudly as a cook aboard the USS Sullivan. On board this vessel there were a number of actions he encountered, mainly recalling the bombardment of the island of Iwo Jima in the 1944 which he held his post as Powderman for three straight days and nights. After his service in the South Pacific, he spent time stationed in Alaska. Following his discharge he lived in California with his first wife and five children before moving back to Minnesota. He worked for various construction and mining operations over the years around the Grand Rapids area. His last employment was with ELECTRO-FAB while he lived at the Veterans Home in Hastings when he met his significant other. After retiring, affectionately known as "Pa" he was able to provide care for his granddaughter "Innis" during the day for many years. For nearly 30 years he had been living in Eggleston with his partner, near Welch, where he enjoyed telling his stories to close friends and family with a cup of coffee, when he wasn't busy in his shed, woodworking or taking care of his roses. Up to his final months, he enjoyed feeding and watching birds on the front porch, most fondly his large gathering of humming birds during the summer and he continued to adore riding his garden-tractor around the neighborhood with his great grandson "Barney" as often as possible.

Survivors include one son, Pat Palmer; one sister, Joyce ("Red" Kenneth) Grife and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. His significant other and partner of over 30 years, Audrey Chramosta; granddaughter, Audra "Innis" Meighan-Hanson, great grandsons, Kayden "Barney" Wells, *extended family Jodie (Chramosta) Meighan, David Meighan, Patricc Meighan, Keith Chramosta, Scott Hanson and Brett Hanson, also nieces, nephews, close friends and dear neighbors; He was preceded in death by his children, Kelly, Timothy "Sid", and Michael Palmer and Laurie Miller; his brothers, Lyle, Elroy "Pete", Jack, Donald "Shep" Elmo "Button" and sister, Joan.
Burial of cremated remains with military honors, will be at 2 p.m. Friday, August 24, 2012 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, assembly area #4. A celebration of Palmer's Life will be held on Saturday, August 25, at 2:00pm in Eggleston- 22675 County 18 Blvd. Welch. Online condolences may be sent to www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com

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Cemetery

AUG 24. 2:00 PM (CDT)

Fort Snelling National Cemetery
7601 34th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55450