Francis Peter Willaert

Francis “Hunts” Peter Willaert, age 84, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 5, 2018 surrounded by loved ones.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 11 at 12:00 p.m. at the Catholic Church of St. Peter in St. Peter. Visitation will from 10:00-12:00 at the church. Burial will be at a later date.

Hunts held various positions over the years, which included farming for Peters Family Farms until his health would no longer let him. In 1997 he started operating his business, Hunts and Son Stump Removal, until 2014. Hunts took great pride in the city of St. Peter, especially in helping with the clean up and restoration of the city after the 1998 tornado.

Hunts enjoyed hunting, fishing, socializing at the St. Peter Legion and Red Men Club, watching the Minnesota Twins, and spending quality time with family and friends. He was always the jokester and left a smile on everyone’s face.

Hunts was born to Allie and Lydia (Braam) Willaert in Belgrade Township in rural Nicollet County on April 2, 1934 on the family farm. He married Judy Volk on April 7, 1990; they later divorced but remained close friends.

Hunts is survived by his son, Kyle (Rebecca) Willaert of St. Peter, MN; step children, Peter (April) Thrun of Missouri and Stacy Thrun of St. Peter; sister, Helen Schons of Gaylord; ten grandchildren; one great-grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and six sisters and six brothers. His contagious smile was loved and he will be missed by all. May he rest in peace.