William "Bill" Carkhuff

William “Bill” Charles Carkhuff, age 67, of Wadena, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at his home.

William Charles Carkhuff was born on August 23, 1957, in Wadena, Minnesota, to Raymond and Leona (Kupfer) Carkhuff. He grew up with eight siblings and graduated from Wadena High School as part of the class of 1975.

Bill met and fell in love with Diane Cypher, they were united in marriage on October 16, 1976, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Wadena. To this union two daughters were born, Tanya and Angie.

The couple lived in many different places including the Cities, South Dakota, Alexandria and Miltona before returning to Wadena.  Bill was a truck driver for many years and drove for Russ Davis, RK Transport, S&S X-press and was also self-employed throughout that time but was most recently employed with Polman Transfer until his retirement in 2023.

Bill enjoyed hobby farming a couple beef cows, deer hunting, being outdoors, and keeping his yard pristine. He liked keeping busy and working with his hands tinkering with a bunch of different projects. Bill was proud to own a 1995 Ford F150 pickup truck and took great care of it. Riding his motorcycle was also a passion of Bill’s, making a trip to Sturgis in 2021, or just riding around the countryside.

Deeply loved, Bill’s passing will be mourned by his wife of 48 years Diane; daughters Tanya (Brian) Gronewold and Angie (Duane) Burke; granddaughters: Ella Gronewold, Haylee (Aaron) Braith, and Brianna (Austin) Plautz; four great-grandsons: Greyson, Waylon, and Owen Plautz, and Mason Braith; siblings: Mary (John) Blom, Sue (Galen) Hieb, Joyce (Jarel) Hieb, Trish (Bruce) Steinkopf, and Jim Carkhuff; many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Leona; brothers Roger “Butch” Carkhuff, Fr. Tom Carkhuff, and Mike “Howard” Carkhuff.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William "Bill" Carkhuff, please visit our floral store.