NWA Capt. Willis T. Korum

~ IN MEMORY ~

WWII veteran, NWA Capt. Willis T. Korum

January 30, 1923 ~ April 28, 2014

News has reached us with the passing of WWII veteran, RNPA member retired NWA pilot Captain Willis ‘Wills’ Thorwald Korum, age 91.  Services for Captain Korum were held yesterday May 1st in Minnesota.

To view/sign the online guestbook please visit http://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/14068788/?fullname=willis-thorwald-korum 

Survived by his wife Mary personal condolences may be sent to their home at

11111 River Hills Drive Apt 118 , Burnsville  MN 55337-3267  ..  (952) 808-2240 

 

Thank you,
~ Carol 

 

From: William & Lynn Day Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2014 11:59 AM    Subject: NWA Pilot Willis Korum

Korum, Willis Thorwald Age 91, died peacefully on April 28, 2014 surrounded by his family. Willis was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He never missed an opportunity to tell his family how proud he was of each one. Willis was born in Deer Creek, MN on January 30, 1923, and lived there through his high school graduation. He served his country in WWII in the Army Air Corps 99th Bomb Group, where he flew 50 B-17 missions as a Radio Operator. On May 1, 1948 he married Mary Libra and together they raised 11 children. They lived in Bloomington for the first 26 years, where Willis built 2 homes for his growing family. His real passion was his Northfield "Sugardale" farm where they moved in 1974 and Willis grew a variety of crops. He worked at Northwest Airlines for 41 years, starting out as a groomer and retiring as a 747 co-pilot. Willis was preceded in death by his father and mother, Thorwald and Christine Korum; his sisters, Arlene, Joan and newborn sister, Doris; his eldest son, Duane, and his grandson, Steven Crain. He is survived by his wife, Mary; his sons, Doug (Donna); Greg; Jeff (Laurie) and Steve (Kathy); and his daughters, Pat Korum (Tom); Sandra Cunningham; Teresa Erickson (Curt); Sonja Crain; Anita Nelson (Ken) and Deanna Fjelsted; and 20 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Willis was an avid reader and will always be remembered for his integrity, humility, curiosity, humor and his love of a good story. Memorials preferred to Salvation Army. Visitation is on Thursday, May 1 from 4-8 p.m. Service Friday, May 2 at 11 a.m, with visitation 1 hour prior. Both services will take place at Cremation Society of Minnesota, 7110 France Ave. S. Edina, MN 952-924-4100

Published on May 1, 2014 Minneapolis Star and Tribune

Hired by NWA on 08/15/1942

Retired 01/09/1983

RNPA Member