Cecil Gene Meyer

Cecil G. Meyer, age 71, of Willmar, passed away Saturday afternoon, August 22, at the St. Cloud Hospital following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 29, at the Willmar Assembly of God Church. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, August 28, at the AG Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials to honor Cecil’s life may be directed to The Fortress or the Sarah Ann School. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Cecil Gene Meyer was born on January 13, 1955, in Willmar, Minnesota, the son of John Jr. and Symka (Tebben) Meyer. He grew up in the Clara City area and graduated from Clara City High School in 1973. From there, he attended SDSU and graduated in 1978 with a degree in Agricultural Education. On July 8, 1978, Cecil was united in marriage to Susan “Sue” Pearson. They made their first home in Canton, SD where Cecil was the FFA leader and AG instructor. From there, they made their home in the Clara City community where he began farming with his brothers and father. Cecil and Sue were blessed with two children, Chontelle (1981) and Grant (1987). In 2001, Cecil began teaching Agriculture class at MACCRAY High School as well as leading the FFA program for five years. Later, he had his hand in various endeavors including operating The Remodelers and operating a few VRBO properties.

In the past 15 years, Cecil found a new passion as he connected with organizations such as Teen Challenge of MN. From this, he helped organize the roots of The Fortress in Willmar, MN, which he was the executive director for 10 years. He was also a co-founder of ATLAS of West Central Minnesota. Cecil served on various boards such as The Well, Faith at Work, and Assembly of God Church.

Cecil became a licensed minister through the Assembly of God Church. From there, he spent his most recent years ministering to the community of Willmar. He was a chaplain to the Willmar Police Department, Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, Willmar Fire Department, Divine Home Care & Hospice, and various companies through Marketplace Chaplaincy, as well as continued ministry and support to current and past men from The Fortress.

Cecil was a strong man of faith and prayer, whose calm and steady presence was felt by many. He was a man who knew the Lord was present even in the toughest situations, allowing others to see the goodness of God. He was also a wonderful grandfather, always up for a game of Pinochle or cribbage, an afternoon of fishing, a chat or laugh about life, and birthday celebrations. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sue; two children, Chontelle (and Chad) Hansen of Moorhead and Grant (and Krystle) Meyer of Barnesville; eight grandchildren, Ericka (and Eric), Katryna, Brody, Kevin and Declan Hansen, and Brylee, Jace and Kasjen Meyer; and two great grandchildren, Weston and Mayda. Also surviving are four siblings, Dee (and Mario) Candia of Chicago, Betty (and Noel) Herr of Jackson, Gary (and Cindy) Meyer of Clara City and Curt (and Holly) Meyer of Clara City; his mother-in-law, Irene Pearson and sister-in-law, Pamela Pearson, both of Willmar; besides other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law, Donald Pearson; and a brother-in-law, Michael Pearson.