Cover photo for Pierre Willette's Obituary
Pierre Willette Profile Photo
1936 Pierre 2022

Pierre Willette

June 16, 1936 — May 1, 2022

Pierre Hynes Willette, a longtime farmer who ran the Willette Seed Farm with his father and brothers, died May 1, 2022, of heart failure. He was 85.

A Mass of Christian burial will be open to the public and held at 11a.m. Saturday, May 21, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church with Fr. Gregory Parrott officiating. Public visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 20, at Patton Funeral Home and continue one hour before the service. Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery.

Pierre, known to many as Pete, was born June 16, 1936, in Winnebago to Donald and Florence Hynes Willette. He graduated from Delavan High School in 1954 and continued his education at St. John’s University, earning a B.S. in biology and a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

He returned to the family farm and seed business, working there until he and his brothers retired in 2004.

Pierre married Lorraine Butler on Sept. 13, 1958. They were high school sweethearts, and their children delighted in the yearbook photo of Pierre, as captain of the football team, crowning Lorraine homecoming queen.

A natural athlete and gambler, he reveled in competition. He played football, baseball, basketball, softball, blackjack, cribbage and craps with his children, grandchildren and friends.

Pierre took up golf in middle age. Through practice and determination, he overcame a baseball-bat swing and developed a passion for the game’s joys, frustrations and fellowship. He enjoyed driving vacations through the West, during which he and Lorraine collected Native American art. A lifelong early riser, he was a breakfast regular at local cafes.

Pierre is survived by Lorraine; children Anne (James Healey), Jone (Rick) Brashears, Deborah, Charlotte and Stephen (Sara); 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by sister Mary (Mark) Hughes; brothers Tom (Nancy) and Jan (Linda); and sister-in-law Judith. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers DePaul and Mike; sisters-in-law Lois and Joie; and son-in-law Rick.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Pierre Willette, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Friday, May 20, 2022

4:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

Patton Funeral Home and Cremation Service

400 E 14th St, Blue Earth, MN 56013

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Memorial Service

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church

214 S Holland St, Blue Earth, MN 56013

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Guestbook

Visits: 182

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Send Flowers

Send Flowers

Plant A Tree

Plant A Tree