Wilbur Leroy Wakefield

Wilbur L. Wakefield Rochester Will, 78, died Thursday, June 26, 2014 at his home in Gramercy Park. Will was born April 14, 1936, in Herman, NE to Warren and Marjorie Wakefield. Will finished 8th grade in a one-room schoolhouse as the only student in his class.He participated in many 4-H and FFA activities.He graduated from Blair High School; earned a B.S. in Agriculture and taught vocational agriculture at Grand Island, NE.He was principal of the University ofNebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis, NE. Will completed a Masters and Doctorate Degree in Educational Administration at the University of Nebraska.He then moved to Rochester as part of the University of Minnesota to start the Consortium, which became the University of Minnesota Rochester. Will enjoyed the outdoors, all sports, fishing and hunting and especially his two granddaughters, Sarah and Nicole Seymour. Will is survived by his wife, Diana, his daughter Lisa (Steve) Seymour of Rochester and son Scott of Washkish, MN; grandchildren Sarah and Nicole Seymour, his sister-in-law Pat Wakefield, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, and brother Leslie Wakefield. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place N.W., Rochester, MN.Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, memorials to Seasons Hospice are suggested.