Nathan Wilbert Hale

Nathan Wilbert Hale, age 90, formerly of Bigfork, MN for 50 years and Babbitt, MN for the last six years, passed away on 6/6/2023 at 1020pm at the Emeralds of Grand Rapids in Grand Rapids, MN.

He was born in Keith Siding, Wisconsin on 3/16/1933. He lived in Leona, Wisconsin until he was 18 years old. He joined the United States Army at the age of 18 years old. While in the army he went overseas to fight in the Korean war where his unit had a 98% casualty and was then transferred to the 25th Platoon. He did one tour of duty and then returned home with an honorable discharge. After returning home from the army, he traveled all over the U.S. He married his first wife and had three children Tom, Andrew, and a daughter. He met Virginia in 1967 and were married on 7/5/1968. They had three children of their own Chip, Rebecca, and Patrick.

He was a logger, welder, and a millwright for Local 548 out of St.Paul, MN. He was a child of GOD and loved to listen to Gospel music. He was an avid fisherman and did guiding of the local lakes. He loved to sit and chat over a cup of coffee along with sharing his knowledge of fishing, welding, and any other trade secrets he may have known. He loved spending time with his grandchildren Shelby, Keely, Abigail, and David. He loved listening to them sing, tell stories, and he especially loved playing jokes and giving them a hard time.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, beloved son Chip, and many family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years Virginia, his sons Patrick (Breanna), Andrew, Tom (Fran) and daughter Rebecca and another daughter. His beloved grandchildren Shelby, Keely, Abigail, David, Alec, Alex, Matthew, Beth, and 5 great grandchildren. Along with his sister Lillian and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

All services will be followed by a pot luck lunch at the church.

He will be greatly missed by all who have loved and known him. The family would like to give a thanks to Moments Hospice and to the Emeralds of Grand Rapids with a special thanks to the wing 2 nurses and aides.