William Bill Champagne, 70, of Oklee, MN died on Sunday, January 21, 2001 at his home in Oklee, MN. Arrangements with Johnson Funeral Service in Oklee, MN.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, January 26, 2001 at 10:30 AM at Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee, MN with Father Gary LaMoine Officiating. Burial will be held in the Zion Cemetery at Oklee, MN.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, from 5 - 8 PM with a 7:30 Prayer service and also one hour prior to services on Friday all at the church.

William Peter Champagne was born on Aug. 13th, 1930 at home in Brooks, MN to Amedie and Delima (Carriere) Champagne. He was raised in Brooks and graduated from Plummer High School in 1948. He was united in marriage to Norma Distad on Dec. 17th, 1949 in St. Johns Catholic Church in South Milwaukee, WI.
Bill and Norma lived in Milwaukee until the summer of 1950 when they moved to Bill's hometown of Brooks, MN. After one year, they returned to live in Milwaukee. One year later they moved to Norma's hometown of Oklee. Norma passed away on March 25th, 1998.
During Bill's working years he was employed by Bucyrus Eries in Milwaukee, People's Oil Company, and Swenson Oil and Equipment in Oklee. He also worked at the Grand Forks missle base, as an independent grain trucker, and at the Oklee Creamery. Except for one year when he worked at the Grygla Elevator, he was employed by the Oklee Elevator from April 1968 until his retirement in March 1997. After his retirement he did seasonal work for Stenberg Farms and Bachand Bros.
Bill was a member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. He enjoyed drives in the country, hunting and fishing, and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Bill is survived by son Daniel (Marianne) Champagne of Pflugerville, TX, daughters Linda (Tim) Whalen of Oklee, MN, Renee (Steve) Radniecki of Twin Valley, MN, Debbie (Leo) Olson and Cindy (Ron) Stoneouse both of Oklee, MN, sisters Luella (Ron) Bushaw, Doreen (Maurice) Cote, and Marion Martell, 15 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Norma, his parents, his brothers Onezime and Elmer, and sister Lorene Westman.

ORGANIST: Barb Melby
SPECIAL MUSIC: Donna Fossum, Lori Melby
CASKET BEARERS: Terry Whalen, Tim Whalen, Nick Olson, Adam Stoneouse, Scott Grove, Kevin Tvedt.