William J. Secora

  William “Bill” Joseph Secora, age 87, of Monticello, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, after a brief fight with lymphoma cancer.  Bill was born on July 19, 1931 in Marysville Township, the son of Joe and Esther Secora, who had a farm in the Montrose area. His early life and schooling were in Montrose and Buffalo where he worked on his parents’ farm.  He entered the United States Army in 1953 and served his country for two years in Germany. When he returned, Bill worked as a postal carrier part-time, then made the decision to go work full-time in the warehouse at SuperValu in Hopkins, where he worked for over 30 years. During that time, he continued to live in Montrose and raise his family, Debbie, Cindy, Linda, Mike & Wayne.  He enjoyed many hobbies, and loved new experiences and learning about new things. He obtained his pilot’s license, and owned his own plane which he loved flying. He also liked to go camping, fishing, boating, playing baseball and tinkering with engines.

  On April 27, 1984 he married Barbara (Simonson) Rassatt, and warmly embraced her family into his life as well. Deciding to take the early retirement option SuperValu had offered, they moved to Clay Center, Kansas where they enjoyed 14 years of small town living. He liked to go fishing, work on his plane and train models, and travel to different parts of the United States with his bride, visiting their friends and family.  They then moved to sunny Arizona, where Bill really loved the vegetation and historical interests of the area. In 2006, Bill & Barb decided to move back to Minnesota to be closer to their children and grandchildren, in spite of the cold, winter weather.

  Bill was a patient and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Bill lived his faith every day, and will be remembered as a warm, friendly, trustworthy friend, who always tried to help others.  He will be truly missed by his family and friends who were blessed to know the kind, gentle man he was!

  He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe & Esther Secora; his dear Army buddy and cousin, Ray Secora; his brother-in-law, John M Johnson; and Wayne’s partner, Katie Zimmerman.

  He is survived by wife, Barbara; daughters, Debbie Secora (Tom Weidenbach); Cindy Entinger (Dan); Linda Roufs (Mike), sons, Michael Secora (Christine); Wayne Secora; stepchildren, Liz Morrissette (Bill); Jim Rassatt (Annette); Victoria Davis (Sam); Rebecca Dye (Roger); Mark Rassatt (Teri); 21 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren, Nathan & Monica (David) Entinger;  Jeremy & Sheena (Elliott) Entinger; Timothy & Katie (Danielle) Entinger; Stephanie Entinger (Alex Brandt); Samantha & Janelle Roufs; Maisie Secora; Scott & Stephanie Breimon (Sydney & Wyatt); Clint & Sara Morrissette (Christian, Lincoln, Scarlett); Luis & Christina Castenada (Michael, Raylynn, Isaac); Ryan & Pam Rassatt (Morgan, Marshal, Murphy, Madison); Jim & Julie Rassatt (Beau, Tucker); Cody & Carina Rassatt (Christian); Luke & Kjirsten Rassatt (Easton); Alexander Davis, April Sartwell (Angelica, Audriana); Rachel & Derek Bluemke; Barbara Dye (Keiden); Gabrielle Dye (Lilly, Alaya); Boyd & Heidi Rassatt. William is also survived by brother, Don Secora (Ruth), and sister, Mary Lou Johnson.

  He was loved and respected by many other relatives and friends.

  The Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at 11:00am at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 607 Maple Ave, Waverly, MN 55390, with a visitation from 10:00am until the service begins. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery on County Road 8 in Waverly, with military honors.

  A luncheon will be served following the burial at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 301 5th St N, Waverly, MN 55390.

'High Flight'   by Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there

I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,

I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or even eagle flew -

And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod

The high unsurpassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

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