Adkins, George Duane passed away Sunday, September 1, 2019 at the Pines in Richfield, MN surrounded by the love of his family. George was born on February 24, 1920 in Aetna Township, Pipestone, MN to B.C. and Agnes (Christiansen) Adkins. He spent his youth on the family farm near what is now Pipestone National Monument. George was drafted into the Army in April 1942 and was deployed to North Africa, Tunisia, Sicily, and Italy. He was taken prisoner in Italy and spent the rest of his Army career as a POW. He received a Purple Heart and was honorably discharged . George joined the Minnesota Highway Department in 1948, starting as a surveyor and ending as the resident engineer in Albert Lea MN. He received awards for his innovations and his dedication to the Highway Department. It was while working on Highway 52 in Preston he met Joy, his future wife. He spent the next 19 years raising a family in Preston. He and his family moved several times while the construction of Interstate 90 continued. George was a favorite of his grandchildren, great-grand-children, nieces and nephews. He loved auctions, collecting antiques, woodworking and gardening. He moved to The Pines of Richfield in 2017 at age 97 to be nearer to his family. George was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Burdette, Carlton (Buck), Glenn Adkins, Margaret Kennedy, daughter Victoria Ites, and Joy Chilson Adkins. He is survived by children David (Patrice) Adkins of Eden Prairie, John (Jennifer) Adkins of Bloomington, Betsy (Joe) Hennen of Olivia, Diana Adkins of Albert Lea, and Amy Adkins of New Brighton, sister-in-law Jane Chilson of Rochester, grandchildren Jennifer (Jon) Putney of Des Moines, Matthew (Holly) Hennen of Olivia, Bryna (Andy) Kelly of Eagan, Sara (Cris) Paulson of St. Paul, Abraham Wangnoo of South St. Paul, Tahira (Royce) Farmer of Huntington Beach CA, Zendaya Adkins of Bloomington, Kellen (Erika) Hennen of Rutland, MA, Alex Withrow of Fargo, Sam Adkins of Eden Prairie, great grandchildren, Billy, Summer, Luke, Sam, Max, Audrey, Mason, Drew, Ellie, and many nieces and nephews. George will be placed to rest at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Preston with an interment ceremony at 11 A.M. on the 18th of October.

Published on September 29, 2019