Thomas Werner
August 9, 1923 — July 22, 2016
Thomas Wilfred “Bill” Werner, 92, of Duluth, died Friday, July 22, 2016 at St. Luke’s Hospital after a very brief illness with his family at his side. He was born August 9, 1923 in Duluth to John and Annie (Reeves) Werner. Bill attended Central High School, but had to quit school after his father’s death to help support his mother and younger brother.
He was an Army veteran of World War II serving as a combat medic in the South Pacific (New Guinea, Biak Island, Luzon and the Battle of Manila). Following his service, he married Patricia V. Dulinski on June 8, 1946 in Duluth, and they enjoyed 60 years of marriage together.
Bill worked numerous jobs. He was an accomplished carpenter and helped all of his children build their houses. He owned and operated his own sanitation service, and served as President of the Duluth Sanitary Service Association and the treasurer of the Duluth Disposal Corporation.
Bill was a lifetime member of the VFW, Post 137.
Bill enjoyed his family’s daily visits. He instilled in his family a strong work ethic, self- reliance, and that there was no such word as ‘can’t’.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Patricia on June 27, 2006, his parents, his stepfather Martin McGinty, his infant brother John, his brother George, his sisters Helen and Victoria, his daughter-in-law Vera Werner, and his great-granddaughter Amanda Bird.
Bill is survived by his children: Kathleen (Clifford) Bird of Saginaw, Minn., John (Barb) of Rice Lake, Minn., Richard (Judy) of Duluth, Roger of Rice Lake, Minn., David (Nancy) of Duluth, and Duane (Lorie) of Meadowlands, Minn.; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Bill’s family thanks all the wonderful staff at St. Luke’s Hospice, as well as Dr. Van Heerde and the staff at the Superior VA Clinic for Bill’s medical care.
Visitation: 10 am, Tuesday, August 9, 2016 until the 11 am funeral service at St. John’s Catholic Church, 4230 St. John’s Ave., Duluth. Military honors will be accorded by the Duluth Honor Guard. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, 727-3555.