Wesley R. Glover

The memorial service for Wesley R. Glover, 90, of Rochester, MN,  will be at 11:00 A.M. on Friday (September 11, 2020) at the Stewartville United Methodist Church with Rev. Laura Nordstrom officiating. Burial with military graveside honors by Stewartville American Legion Post 164 will follow at Hamilton Cemetery in rural Racine. Mr. Glover died on Monday (August 31,  2020) of natural causes at Cottagewood Senior Communities where he had resided since 2018.

Born December 1, 1929, Wes was raised on the family farm in Racine,MN with his brother, and four sisters. His mother , Daisy Glover, was known to say about him, “I don’t remember Wesley ever causing a bit of trouble.”  His angelic perfection a facade orchestrated for him by his three doting older sisters Harriet, Marian and Fran; a tradition perpetuated by his much younger sister Marjorie.(Love ya, kid!) Wes’ trusty steed in his early years on the farm was a black pony named Frisky. He purchased the pony for a song, singing “ What a lot of things to see on the way to school” to the horse-trading neighbor who, only a day earlier, sold the very same horse to Wes’ father, Harry Glover.

In his rabble rousing years, Wes worked taking tickets at the Pla-Mor Ballroom in exchange for free entry into the dances; and as a skate boy at Glover’s Roller Skating Rink, owned and operated by his brother, Bud. It was at the skating rink that he met his wife of nearly 60 years after, as Wes would tell it, Karen Keenan threw away her car keys to get a ride from him in his 1955 Chevy Bel Air. Wes and Karen married February 25, 1961. Wes took over working the family farm in Racine. It was there he and Karen began raising sons Greg and Jon and daughter Eileen. In 1972 the family moved to Rochester and Wes began his 30 year career as a Farm Bureau insurance agent. He had no clients, but rather a large group of good friends to whom he sold insurance. After retiring from Farm Bureau, Wes failed retirement by getting another job. Delivering tuxedos to retail stores in neighboring states was a gift to Wes. He enjoyed seeing the crop-covered landscapes and getting to know the people who he would see on each long haul trip. Even the folks at McDonalds would start his usual order when they saw his van drive in.

He was happiest spending time with his kids exploring the farm and creating forts in the snow drifting to the tops of the out-buildings when they were young. As they got older, he took them camping, snow skiing, waterskiing and annually to Lake Koronis Family Camp. He attended school music performances, waterski shows, rock bands gigs, and Navy band shows. He was involved with his grandkids; so patient and encouraging to each of them. He gave them driving lessons an watched their play performances, baseball hockey, lacrosse, and mountain biking. He skied with them and played with them, and by that example, taught his kids to be better parents. Wes loved spending time with his nieces and nephews, too. Visiting and telling jokes as only “Uncle Whaps” could; driving in the annual tractor drive from Spring Valley to Rochester; medaling  second  in his age division at the 2011 North Shore Inline Skate Half Marathon; and boating on Leech Lake were all memorable times for him.

Throughout his life, Wes served his community. In his young adult years, Wes served in the U.S. Air Force as an airfield fireman at Goose Bay, Labrador. When his kids were grown, Wes drove elderly congregants to church and cleared snow for his neighbors, usually before he cleared his own driveway.

Wes is survived by his  wife Karen; 1 daughter and 2 sons – Greg Glover(Phoung Mai) of  Boston,MA;  Jon(Shelly) Glover of Rochester and Eileen Bendtsen of Bloomington,MN;  grandchildren –  Grace Glover,  Eli Glover, Anders “AJ” Bendtsen , Everett Bendtsen and Helena Mai;  sister – Marjorie Koch of Walker,MN and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents  - Harold and Daisy Glover, brother – Franklin “Buddy” Glover and sisters – Harriet Sullivan Marian Johnson and Francis Gentling.

A time of visitation for family and friends will take place from 9:30 to the time of service on Friday morning at the United Methodist Church in Stewartville, with  masks and safe social distancing protocols. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray F.H. in Stewartville. On-line condolences and memories of Wes are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

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