Wilbert Frank Wiita “Willie,” 95, of Esko, passed away on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at Solvay House in Duluth, MN. Willie was born on July 8, 1929 to Frank and Hilda Wiita in Cloquet, MN. He attended Esko Schools and joined the Army. 

Willie was a truck driver for the majority of his life, working with construction and then hauling milk for 21 years. He owned his own trucks. His passions were fishing, hunting, tractors, auctions, Friday night fish, and tractor shows. Willie was the oldest member of the Lakehead Harvest and also was a part of the Salvation Army Church in Duluth. 

Preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Diane Wiita; and sister, Doris Latrielle. 

Willie will be missed by his wife, Melanie McColley-Wiita; children, Terry Wiita, Diane Wiita, Sherrill (John) Forsberg, Colleen (Alex) Grundhoff, JoAnne (Steve) Wiita; step-children, Travis, Chad and Jaime; grandchildren, Christopher(Alicia), Brittany(Kaleb), Linda, Shelly, Farrah, and David; and several great-grandchildren.

Visitation: 10:00 am until the service begins at 11:00 am on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at The Salvation Army of Duluth, 215 S 27th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55806. A luncheon will follow the service and burial with Military Honors will be held at 2:00 pm at the Minnesota Veteran’s Cemetery, 4777 US-Hwy 53, Saginaw, MN 55779. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet, MN 55720. To sign the guest book and leave an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com