Obituary of Willard Ellwood Sjoblom

Willard (Will) Ellwood Sjoblom (1944-2024)

After a life devoted to his family, friends, and social justice, Will Sjoblom, 80, of Duluth, MN, died on October 29, 2024 from the effects of COVID-19 as well as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. He was born in Minneapolis, MN in 1944 to Eva (formerly Trulson) and Ellwood Sjoblom and moved with his mother and younger brother, Loren, to Northfield, MN in 1953 after his father died. His mother met and later married Melvin Walquartsen in 1955. He became a stepbrother to Melvin’s children, Gary Irons and Kathy Higginbotham. In 1955, his sisters Jane and Janet Walquartsen were born. In 1959 Will’s family moved to the Stark, MN area where Will graduated from North Branch High School in 1962. He became lifelong friends with classmate John Swanson and neighbor Don Burda and a godparent to Don’s (and late wife, Arlene’s) daughter, Michele Burda Mihail.

Will joined the Marine Corps after graduating in 1962 and returned to MN in 1966 where he graduated with an accounting degree from the University of Minnesota. He worked at 3M and Polaris in the Twin Cities and relocated to Roseau, MN in 1977. While there, Lyle Larson introduced Will to his cousin, Dory Larson. They married in Badger, MN in 1979 and moved to Two Harbors where his daughters, Marisa and Kerri, were born. In 1983 they moved to Duluth, MN where he was employed at Western Lake Superior Sanitary District as Manager of Finance and Personnel. In his free time, he loved swimming at the YMCA, camping, and traveling across the US, including a road trip to Jackson, MS where the family heard Rosa Parks speak. He and Dory took a once in a lifetime trip to Norway and Sweden in 2011, meeting many of his mother’s relatives. He also enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, taking them on camping and road trips.

Will was a member of First Lutheran Church (FLC) where he served on the Board of Church in Society and engaged in several social justice issues. He helped establish a sister community relationship with San Antonio Los Ranchos, El Salvador in 1998, having previously travelled to the country during the civil war and as an election observer in the early 1990s. He also volunteered in efforts to make FLC more inclusive of LGBTQI+ persons and participated in Vets for Peace activities. He also played on the (FLC) Flyers Softball team and enjoyed watching the UMD Women’s hockey games.

Will was preceded in death by his parents: Eva (Trulson) Walquartsen and Ellwood Sjoblom, stepfather Melvin Walquartsen, brother Loren Sjoblom, his grandparents, and several pet cats.

He is fondly remembered by: his wife, Dory, daughters, Marisa and Kerri Sjoblom, his grandchildren: Austin Nelson, Anisa Sjoblom, and Alonzo Hester Jr; his sisters, Janet Aguirre, Jane Pedersen (Wayne), stepbrother, Gary Irons (Cathee), step sister, Kathy Higginbotham, brother-in-law Oren Larson (Carol), nieces and nephews: Amy Larson, Adam Larson (Stacey), Alicia Nelson (Josh), and goddaughter, Amy Aguirre; great nephews and nieces: Alec and Sam Larson, Elliot and Eva Nelson, and several cousins.  

In remembrance of Will, we encourage you to consider donations to one of the following organizations: First Lutheran Church at Give Now (onrealm.org) % Memorials - El Salvador scholarships, Reconciling in Christ (Donate - Reconciling Works), Cure Alzheimer’s Fund or to Loaves & Fishes Housing (Donate (paypal.com). His funeral will be at First Lutheran Church (1100 E. Superior St, Duluth, MN) on Saturday, November 9^th at 3 pm with visitation at 2 pm. His service can be watched live or on YouTube at: First Lutheran Church - YouTube.