Romaine "Red" George Wilson

Romaine George Wilson, son of George T. Wilson and Cecelia E. (Brennan) Wilson was born on July 31, 1931, at his grandparents’ farm in Eckles Township, Beltrami County, Bemidji. He entered into God’s Kingdom on August 18, 2025, surrounded by his family at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.

Romaine grew up in Bemidji where he attended Central Elementary School and Bemidji High School. When he left school, he went to St. Louis, MO and worked with his father in the construction business, then he came back to Bemidji and worked in the logging industry till he started doing more construction work on the Lab School at the college, from that job he went on to Grand Rapids, MN and did masonry work on the new court house that was being built. Then on January 3, 1951, he joined the Navy along with 17 of his buddies and served during the Korean Conflict. On his return from the service he came home and worked odd jobs until he went into partnership with his father-in-law and they operated the 3rd Street Billiard Parlor. When they closed that he went to and worked for the next 10 years at Culligan. Then he left that and went to Keewatin, MN and did electrical work at the taconite plant and then back to Bemidji and worked 27 years at Naylor Electric, retiring in 1993. Romaine was a “Jack of all trades” and was always helping family, friends and neighbors fix anything and everything. He married Darlene Rae Nutzman on October 12, 1952, and to this union 4 children were born, 3 girls and a boy. He was later blessed with seven grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. He was a very loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to all who knew him. Most of his 4 years in the service was spent aboard a destroyer, the USS Duncan DDR874, except for 14 weeks spent at Machinist Mate School, Class A service School Command USNTC in Great Lakes, IL. His ship was involved in the last battle of the Korean Conflict in Wonsan Harbor and the war ended on July 27, 1953, the same day his 1st child was born. Romaine was discharged from the service on October 5, 1954. By confession of Faith, he joined the United Methodist Church on May 26, 1952, and has been serving the church faithfully since. He served on the Board of Trustees and was involved in the remodeling of the kitchen and upper room, doing most of the electrical work. He was also called “Cheerful Mr. Coffee” after installing new coffee systems in the lounge and fellowship hall and was the expert coffee maker for special church functions. At one time he received the United Methodist Women’s award, the Special Recognition Award as the recipient for outstanding service to the church and community. After he retired, he served as an usher, greeter, repairman, and also donated time at the food shelves and delivered meals on wheels. He was a lifetime member of Ralph Gracie American Legion Post #14. In1959, the Post organized the Mississippi Headwaters Blood Bank. He served as 2nd vice, president and was a charter member for 50 years. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 294 for over 50 years. In his free time, he enjoyed gardening, fishing in the summer and hunting in the fall, especially during the deer season. He and Darlene also loved to travel and after he retired, they took many enjoyable trips.

He is survived by his daughter, Nancy Kay Charon of Ramsey, daughter Barbara Jo (Rick) Willberg and son, William George Wilson both of Bemidji; sisters-in-law, Donna Mae Wilson and Delores Wilson; 7 grandchildren,14 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death his loving wife, Darlene of 69 years; by a daughter, Connie Rae; his parents; 5 brothers; 2 sisters and 2 sons-in-law.

In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to United Methodist Church, Meals on Wheels, Bemidji Food Shelf or charity of choice.

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