Obituary of Harry W. Nara, Jr.

Harry W. “Bill” Nara, Jr

Bill at 85 years young received his “wings” surrounded by family on February 6, 2022 who were able to participate in his “Walk of Honor” at the VAMC of Minneapolis . Preceded in death by his parents Harry and Aili, sister Carole, and granddaughter Rebecca.

Survived by:  Brother Charles and wife Bunny - first wife Diane Maki, and Linda of 29 years, Son Bill (Tammy wife) David grandson, Daughter Debra Wagener (Bob husband) – Stepchildren:  Courtney Brunes (Jamie husband) children: Kaitlyn, Allison, Taylor, Alex, Katie; Mali Johnson (Aaron husband) children:  Avery, Landon and Adalyn

Bill was born on May 15, 1936 in Hibbing, Minnesota and graduated from Hibbing High School - went on and attended two years Hibbing Community College- then on to the University of Minnesota he graduated from the School of Architecture.  Was hired for a short time by Ellerbe Associates – was drafted into the Army – was able to detain this for a while because of his father’s illness and death – instead of the Army went into the Navy and served in the SeaBees- was stationed in New Foundland and Cuba (during Bay of Pigs and the death of President Kennedy)- He served from 1964-1968.

Upon discharge, Bill was hired back from Ellerbe Associates and started as a Job Captain and worked his way up to Senior Vice President and Board Member – Worked for Ellerbe for over 30 years – was a registered Architect in all 50 states- was Architect of Record on the following projects- Universal Studios Phase I in Orlando, Florida – Mayo Clinic Scottsdale and Jacksonville plus numerous buildings in Rochester, State Farm, University of Minnesota and Notre Dame plus many others-

After early retirement from Ellerbe, Bill and Linda started doing real estate – where Bill could still use his design skills by designing or redesigning client’s homes – working for builders around the twin cities – until they decided to become snowbirds and spend winters at their home in Estero Florida.  Bill worked part time for a fishing charter company doing what he loved fishing and being around people.

Bill was an original member of a duck camp on Leech Lake where he enjoyed duck hunting with Deb and Bill plus spending a couple of weeks in the summer on vacation especially night fishing with us all– only way to get to this camp is by boat – just visualize a fishing boat loaded with groceries, suitcases, dogs, people, trying to get to the island – one trip we actually had a dog that couldn’t swim fall out of the boat- Many memories at the camp -  my girls being the first and last to ride on the torpedo where Bill spent hours hauling them around the lake – fishing and it was always one more try to get the “big” one –

Bill was always the ringleader having Courtney by his side and out the door they’d go on a mission to find some treasure he spied that a neighbor had out for garbage or a treasure he spied down the beach– He was the Pied Piper that kids and dogs followed him everywhere he went - He loved spending time at the cabin on Side Lake on the Iron Range – he always found projects for you  to do whether you as an adult or the kids– your reward was an ice cream cone ask what project he needed done – He made work “fun”. He spent many summers going out in the woods hunting for wild berries – he had many spots that he’d take us where if the berries were good – get ice cream buckets full plus many bug bites and a few bee stings!

His happiest place on earth was Disney World and Sanibel in Florida nothing beats the memories of seeing these places through the eyes of your grandchildren-he and Linda for many years had season tickets – loved going on cruises, and on many of the trips to Florida would travel not by freeway but by side roads only to see different points of interest and scenery.

Bill loved to talk and tell stories once he had you cornered many times couldn’t get away from him – he had a gift he could be talking on and on but while talking actually in his mind putting together another idea he was making.  One of his associates at work said that he was launching another missile “idea” in space thinking while talking.

Thank you for your endless Love and for being my Best Friend Forever! And thank you for raising my 2 daughters as your own when many thought you were nuts to take on that responsibility. Thank you for the memories that will never fade away.You’re the Man I loved and I was so Proud to be Your Wife and every day in some small way I celebrate your life. As long as memories last – you will stay in my heart ~ All my love Linda

Gravesite burial is Friday March 4, 2022 at 10:45am at Ft Snelling National Cemetery,  Meet in Assembly Area #4.