George Robert Wilson, 81, of Cook, MN passed away peacefully in his sleep with his loving wife by his side, on Sunday March 3, 2019 at his home.

George was born to Frank and Dorothy (Chambers) Wilson on May 3, 1937 in Oak Creek, Colorado. George grew up in Oak Creek and attended school in Yampa, CO. During his youth, George worked as a sheep-herder, a trade learned from his Greek brother-in-law. George took an early exit from high school, earned his GED and joined the Navy. He served his country honorably for 4 years. After George left the Navy, he became a man of many trades. He worked as a bus driver and at a flour mill in Denver. George met the love of his life, Georgine, in Colorado. Georgine was a Cook, MN girl and George followed his love North as they made their way back to Cook. They were united in marriage on May 1, 1971 in Gheen, MN. During this time George worked any job that would provide for his family. He worked in Duluth in the Shipyards as a welder and flew to Beulah ND while working as a laborer for ABI Construction on the pipeline. George also worked as a driller and blaster, clearing the large rocks to make way for road construction. George was a person who worked hard all his life. In his later years, he worked as a maintenance man on the cabins on Lake Vermilion. George was still working odd jobs in the summer of 2018.

George led a full life. He was very involved in his children's lives and there was nothing he would not do for them. It seemed like he had a natural talent for everything regardless what it was; including giving his girls perms, frosting hair, and even piercing ears. He also baked all the family birthday cakes, often from scratch. His specialty was his home-made carrot cake. George loved to travel and he and Georgine would spend their winters in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. They would go to the dessert to collect rocks that George would later polish. George and Georgine also traveled to the Grand Portage Cajun Festival every year, enjoying the cuisine and throwing beads at the parade.  George loved to dance and he and Georgine joined a Polka Dance group that would travel to Michigan and Baudette. George loved to spend time out-doors hunting and fishing. He was also an avid Denver Broncos fan. George was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Alango, MN.

George was a fun-loving person; a jokester and prankster who loved to make people laugh. His family would describe him as a very loving but independent and bullheaded person; if he wanted to give you something, which he often did, there was not argument, you took it. It was all out of love and trying to help his family in any way he could. George was a rock to his family, and he will be truly missed!

George was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Bill and Frank. Sisters; Pearl, Mary, Grace, Florence, Laura Mae, and Eva Ruth. His Mother-in-law and father-in-law Vienna and George Bergman.

George is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Georgine; his children: Susan (Pat) Setter, Dale (Jane) Kennedy, Sandy (Rick) Sailer, Jackie (Bill) Wilson and Jolene (Greg) Wilson; grandchildren: Nicole Setter, Amber (Ben) Stifter, Chelsie Kennedy, Oakley (Mike) Lange, Brandon Sailer, Jurnee (Dan) Wilson, Aaliyah Heglund; seven great-grandchildren; brother Alan (Barbara) "Butch" Wilson.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 11:00AM at Mlaker Funeral Home, Cook, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Military Honors will be accorded by Cook VFW Post #1757 Honor Guard Orr American Legion Post #480 Honor Guard. A reception in honor of George will be held at the VFW immediately following the services. To leave an online condolence visit www.mlakerfuneralhome