A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at St. George Catholic Church in St. George, with Father Tanner Thooft officiating. Burial will follow in the St. George Catholic Cemetery with full military honors provided by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard. Visitation will take place from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – NORTH Chapel in New Ulm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service, from 10:00-11:00 a.m., on Saturday at the church in St. George. To leave condolences for the family or sign the guestbook, please visit www.mvfh.org

Willard is survived by his children; Michael (Anna) Bastian of St. George, Mary Kay Reiff of Minneapolis, Connie (Thomas) Holmgren of North Mankato, and Joseph (Natalie) Bastian of St. George; grandchildren, Abby (Matt) Holmgren, Allison (Trey) Strei, Audra Bastian, Ila Reiff, Erik Reiff, Elizabeth (Cody) Holmgren, Megan (Billy) Bigham, Claire (Austin) Bastian, and Aidan (Emerson) Bastian; great-grandchildren, Adeline, Eloise, Amelia, and Henry; sister, Bernadette Hoffmann of Sleepy Eye; sister-in-law, Marilyn Bastian of North Mankato; and brother, Jerome (Myra) Bastian of Fairfax.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of nearly 65 years, Joann (Michaletz) Bastian; his parents, Louis and Elenora (Altmann) Bastian; great-granddaughter, Frances Bigham; brother, Bernard Bastian; and brother-in-law, Frederick Hoffmann.

Willard was born at home on the farm in West Newton Township on February 7, 1932 to Louis and Elenora (Altmann) Bastian. He attended grade school at a small country school in Ridgely Township and graduated from Fairfax High School in 1950. Soon after, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served two years in Korea during the Korean War.

On May 21, 1960, Willard married Joann Michaletz at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Together they raised four children on their dairy and crop farm west of St. George. Willard was a proud farmer, who was deeply committed to his work, family, and faith.

Outside of farming, Willard enjoyed visiting with old and new friends at polka festivals, county fairs, church picnics, and small-town gatherings. He truly enjoyed meeting people and hearing about their stories.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the caregivers at Woodstone for their kindness, compassion, and patience in caring for Willard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. George Catholic Church.

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