Harry Wuollet

Harry William Wuollet Jr., 87, of Ignacio, Colorado died Friday, June 3, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center in Durango, CO. Born in Cokato, Minnesota he was the seventh of 14 children born to Harry William Wuollet Sr. and Estella Lofback Wuollet. He was raised on a farm in Dassel, Minnesota. He and his brothers and sisters were raised by their father after his mother died when Harry was 13. In 1950 he enlisted in the Army and served from 1950-1953 during the Korean War. He was a communications engineer in the second infantry division earning a rank of Sergeant. While serving in the army he attended the Army Engineering School. During one battle, solders in the 2nd Infantry Division marched across North Korea all the way to the Chinese border. He would recall the bitter cold of the North Korean winter. He was hospitalized for a short time after suffering from severe frostbite on his hands and feet. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1953 and was awarded the Korean service medal with four bronze stars, Distinguished Unit Citation, Bronze star and Badge CI. He then traveled across the northwestern United States doing various types of construction. Sometime in the 1960’s he moved to Denver, Colorado and worked in the Lathers union with his oldest brother Melvin. In the 1970’s he worked as a roofer and continued doing this type of work until his retirement in 1994. He was a hardworking man often working 10 or more hours a day sometimes 6 or 7 days a week. He was a bachelor until he met and married Dolores Rocco Carmosino in 1974. He raised Dolores’ daughter Loretta as his own. Dolores’ two other children were grown and on their own by this time. Harry and Dolores moved to Durango in 1999 to be closer to Loretta, her husband Bob and children. He loved being with his grandkids and helped care for them every chance he got. They eventually settled outside of Ignacio, in La Plata County. He loved to be busy and he helped pick up parts for his son-in-law’s auto repair business for many years. He was a friendly and social man and made friends wherever he went. Dolores passed away in 2006 and Harry remained in his home until 2010 when he started to develop health problems. He moved in with Loretta and her family and remained there until his death. Harry was preceded in death by Dolores his wife of 32 years, step-son Thomas, five sisters and three brothers. He is survived by his step-daughter Loretta and her husband Bob of Ignacio, CO, step-daughter Lorraine of Elko, NV, grandchildren, Elizabetha of Denver, CO, Robby of Durango, CO, Kelsi of San Antonio, TX, Kara of Elko, NV, Alfred and three great-grandkids, Brother Dwayne “Dick” (Mary Ann), Sisters Marian, Marcella, Mildred (Jerry) and Myrtle. Memorial services will be held at Hood Mortuary in Durango, Colorado on Thursday, June 9th at 2:00 pm. Casual attire suggested. Interment will be at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, Grand Junction, Colorado on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 1p.m.