Willard Gilbert Boutain, 78, of Crookston, MN formerly of the Dorothy, MN area died on Sunday, September 24, 2000 at his daughter's home in Crookston, MN. Arrangements with the Johnson Funeral Service in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2000 at 1:30 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls with Father Tim Bushy Officiating. Burial will be held in the St. Dorothy Cemetery at Dorothy, MN.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, from 5 – 8 PM with a 7:00 prayer service at Johnson Funeral Service in Red Lake Falls, MN and also one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.

Willard Gilbert Boutain was born October 12, 1921 in Wylie Township, Red Lake County, MN son of Eli and Anna (Landa) Boutain. He was raised there and attended school in the area. Willard Served in the US Army from March 24, 1945 until his honorable discharge December 28, 1946 where he received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He returned to the Wylie, MN area where he farmed all of his life. On July 21, 1962 he was united in marriage to Angeline Lefebvre in Red Lake Falls, MN. Angeline passed away on July 4, 1990. Following his retirement IN 1993 Willard moved into Crookston, MN where he has lived with his daughter Kim and her family since.
He was a member of the American legion Post in Red Lake Falls, MN, and VFW of Crookston, MN. He was a member of the St. Dorothy Catholic Church and served on the Wylie Township board for many years. Willard enjoyed playing jokes on people and telling stories to his family, he liked yard work, gardening and cutting wood. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He is survived by his daughter Kim (Jon) Volker of Crookston, MN, grand children Matthew Volker and Tracy Volker of Crookston, MN; stepchildren Ronnie Cassavant of Thief River Falls, MN, Shirley Hanson (Joe) of Red Lake Falls, MN, DeeDee Poole (Doug) of Alexandria, MN, Alan Cassavant of Red Lake Falls, Mn, Judy Violette (Wayne) of Red Lake Falls, MN and Orren Cassavant of Red Lake Falls, MN: 14 step grandchildren and 16 step great-grandchildren. Two brothers Harvey Boutain of Menahga, MN and Ralph Boutain of Thief River Falls, MN and two sisters Lucille Starken (Paul) of Biwabik, MN and Elsie Wolner (Jim) of Park Rapids, MN. Also many nephews and nieces.
Willard is preceded in death by his parents Eli and Anna Boutain, wife Angeline, brothers Emil Boutain, Elmer Boutain, Herman Boutain, Edward Boutain, Andrew Boutain, Dale Boutain and Ray Boutain; sisters Mamie Meyer and Madeline Molskness.
MILITARY HONORS: American Legion Post of Red Lake Falls, MN
ORGANIST: Polly Beyer
SPECIAL MUSIC: St. Joseph Church Choir
CASKET BEARERS: Russell Coenen, Ed Cota, Tim Dircks, Frank Dircks, Joe Hanson, Wayne Violette.