William Predmore

William Leroy Predmore was born on September 29, 1936 to Vernon and Margaret (Schlientz) Predmore in Broken Bow, Nebraska. From a young age, William had the value of hard work instilled in him. He and his siblings grew up on Sunny Slope Ranch. His love for the ranch life began as a child – a love that continued to grow with him the rest of his life.

On December 23, 1957, at a young age, William was drafted into the Army. He was stationed in France for a few years. Upon his return home to Broken Bow, Nebraska, work was scarce on the ranch. Looking for work, William and younger brother Larry, found work with Hanson Silo in Luverne, Minnesota. While there he met a local girl waitressing at a restaurant and the two quickly fell in love. On September 11, 1958, after seeing each other for six months, William was united in marriage to Elaine Smedsrud. They were married at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, Minnesota. Following their marriage, they moved to Broken Bow where they resided for several years. In December of 1962, the couple moved back to Luverne where together they raised their four children. A few years later, a daughter was born to complete the family. In 1969, they moved to a farm in Mound Township, north of Luverne. While living on the farm, the family was active in 4-H and kept busy by raising purebred Suffolk sheep. William worked at IBP for over 30 years until they closed their doors in 1998. After retiring, he worked at the Blue Mound State Park as a groundskeeper. On March 22, 2007, Elaine preceded William in death. After her passing, William continued to live on the farm and enjoyed raising a small amount of sheep and cattle. Each addition of a grandchild to the family brought him endless joy. William passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, with his family at his side at the Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 88 years, three months and 23 days.

William is survived by his five children, Gayle Hartz, Brenda Latten, and Bruce Predmore, all of Luverne, Minnesota, Mike Predmore of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Julie (Kevin) Fick of Luverne; 8 grandchildren, Nicki (Kevin) Hartz, Megan Kuhnert, Cory (Amber) Davis, Brandon Latten, Lacey (John) Csobor, Jenni (Eric) Gaul, Austin (special friend Jordyn) Fick, Tyler (Halle) Fick; 13 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Peggy Mathieson of Peddleton, Oregon, and Larry Predmore of Springfield, Missouri; and sister-in-law, Phillis Predmore of North Platte, Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine Predmore; parents, Vernon and Margaret Predmore; brothers, Chuck and Tom (Donna) Predmore; son-in-law, Rich Latten; and sister-in-law, Wanda Predmore.