Obituaries: William "Bill" K. Obst

William "Bill" K. Obst, 93, of Cloquet, passed away Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at Viewcrest Health Center in Duluth.

He was born Nov. 17, 1926, in St. Louis to Gustave and Eleanor (Kewley) Obst. Bill served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Bill graduated from Rochester High School. He received his master's degree in education from Macalester College and was a high school English teacher at Cloquet Public Schools. Bill had a lifelong fascination with learning, both his own and of those around him. He was a voracious reader, and his fascination with the world started with the smallest particles of energy and soared to the farthest reaches of the universe. His love for family and friends was equally boundless.

Bill was a member of the American Legion Post 71 of Duluth. He was an avid duck hunter and enjoyed training dogs, motorcycling, gardening, sailing, camping, directing plays, and fishing. Even as time marched on and invaded his body, he continued exploring and studying the world by watching lectures on a 57-inch TV screen hanging from the ceiling at the foot of his bed. Bill spent much time at his cabin on Leech Lake contemplating life and his place in it.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Caree Maniekee, and one sister, Gloria Nangle.

He is survived by his wife, Cher; children David (Margaret) Obst, Keith (Sharon) Obst, Dean Obst and Eleanor (Eric) Falk; son-in-law, Darrin Belich; two nephews, Richard (Joy) Nangle and Mark Nangle; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation: 12 p.m. until the 2 p.m. memorial service Saturday, Feb. 1 at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet. Military honors will be presented by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard.

Printed in the Pine Knot News, Jan. 17, 2020.