William (Willie) Jungling

An amazing, decades-long streak of being the life of the party at every event he attended came to an end Sunday, May 18, with the passing of William (Willie) Jungling of Anoka, Minn., formerly of Parkersburg.

Willie died peacefully in his sleep after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He had reached the age of 79. A celebration of life will be held Monday, June 9, at Greenhaven Golf Course Clubhouse in Anoka, Minn.,  from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Willie embraced with enthusiasm and kindness all the roles that life assigned him: Husband. Dad. Grandpa. Brother. Friend. Neighbor. Coach. Farm boy. High school sports star. Salesman. Entrepreneur. Dedicated golfer. Dog lover. If there was a way to have fun, he found it and he made sure everybody came along for the ride.

“No one could command a room the way Willie could,’’ said longtime friend Bill Leach.

Willie was born Jan. 16, 1946, to Bill and Evelyn (Vietor) Jungling. He grew up on the family farm south of Parkersburg and completed his early grades at the nearby country school. In high school, Willie played baseball, basketball, football and ran track. 

Baseball was his first love, but it was football where he made his mark. He led the Parkersburg Crusaders to a conference title, playing quarterback. He graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1964.

Willie met the love of his life, Kate, at the University of Northern Iowa, from where they both graduated. The two were married for 57 years. They made their life in Cedar Falls, then Parkersburg. The couple moved to Anoka in the early 1980s, where Willie worked in sales and then started a carpet-cleaning business. He always had a soft spot in his heart for his Iowa hometown, however, and cherished ties to Parkersburg.

Willie and Kate instantly made friends wherever they went and enjoyed wintering in Arizona later in life. A highlight of their time together: watching their grandsons play sports. Willie loved being a grandpa and was always someone that the grandkids could turn to when they needed a loving but firm sounding board. He always had a kind word for other children and loved pets, especially dogs.

The family is grateful to Ron and Rochelle Hook for their lifelong friendship. The family also appreciates the compassionate care provided by Guardian Angels in Elk River, Minn., in recent months.

Willie is survived by his wife Kate of Anoka and three children: Jill (Jeff) Burcum of Cannon Falls, Minn.; Josh (Ginger) Jungling of Anoka; and Kami (Chris) Nys of Chester, Virginia. And, by five grandchildren: Alex and Liz Burcum, and Caleb, Rowan and Logan Jungling.

He also has two surviving brothers: Rodney (Linda) Jungling and Marvin (Julie) Jungling.

The family prefers memorials to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

May everyone remember Willie not in sadness, but by raising a toast to the good times and laughs he brought into our lives.