Wesley V. Kegel, 94, of Blue Earth, died at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013.

Wesley Vernon Kegel, son of Charles and Anna (Houska) Kegel, was born Sept. 26, 1919, in Turner, Mont., the sixth of 10 children. He attended grades first through fifth at Little Jewel rural school with the next seven years at the school in Turner. After graduation in May of 1938, he enrolled at Northern Montana College in Havre graduating in 1940 with an associate’s degree. His subsequent enrollment at Montana State College at Bozeman was interrupted with service in the U.S. Army from October 1942 until his honorable discharge in June 1946.

Following graduation from Montana State College in 1947, he was employed by the South St. Paul Stockyards company and later by the Detroit Lakes school district. In June 1954 he purchased the Coast to Coast store in Blue Earth, which he continued to operate until his retirement in September of 1980.

On June 16, 1951, Wesley married Elizabeth Johnson at Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley. They lived in Detroit Lakes until 1954.

Wes was a past president of Trinity Lutheran Church, Hixon award winner of a lifetime membership in Kiwanis International, secretary of local Kiwanis club for 23 years and co-chairman of Faribault County Disaster Committee for 10 years.

Hobbies included woodworking, stamp and coin collecting, traveling and playing bridge. Wes could fix anything and reveled in helping his family. His outlook on life was always positive, and Wes credited his longevity with a belly laugh every day.

He is survived by his daughters Jane Samuelson (Tim) of Albert Lea and Gail Greeley (Dan) of Fairmont; five grandchildren Anne Clarkson (Ben), Michele Anderson (Norm), Carl Samuelson (Meredith), Olaf Samuelson (Katie) and Tori Rasche; three great-grandchildren Alyvia Anderson, Amelia Anderson and Liam Samuelson; and siblings Ethel, Marvin and Agnes.

Preceding him in death is his wife of 61 years, Elizabeth; his parents; and siblings Arthur, Frederick, Charles, Alice, Marjorie and Kenneth.