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William Edward (Bill) Bieloh died unexpectedly in his sleep on Friday, Sept. 24, 2010. Bill was born on Feb. 15, 1959 to Jack and Gloria Bieloh in Hopkins, Minnesota. His family moved to Walker, Minnesota in 1969 where Bill graduated from Walker Hackensack High School in 1977.

Bill was a standout athlete in wrestling and football, and became affectionately known as "Boom Boom" Bieloh. He married his high school sweetheart, Kathy Arends, in 1980 and was the owner of the Red Owl grocery store, later known as Bieloh's Family Foods, for 23 years. In 1992, Bill and Kathy started the Moondance Jam rock festival, that began as a small barbecue musical event, that over the last 19 years, has become the largest rock festival in Minnesota. In 2007, they added a second music festival known as the Moondance Jammin' Country Fest.

Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman. He never missed a "duck opener" and spent the last years of his life hunting deer on his own Moondance acreage. It was a special event to join Bill during any hunting season.

Bill was a Walker icon. He loved his community and the entire Walker area. He was always generous in his support and promotion of any and all events, and never said no to donating, whether it be monetary support or giving of his time. He personally was responsible for raising thousands of dollars to support a number of worthy projects in the Walker area. He and Kathy were selected as Community Champions twice, both as a business and as promoters of Walker.

Bill lived life to its fullest with a ready smile and a HUGE heart. He truly loved his wife, Kathy, son Jonathan, daughter Briony, and grandson Joseph. Bill will be remembered for his unique gift of being able to make each and everyone he knew feel special. His appreciation and respect for all of his employees made him a revered friend and beloved employer. He was a Class Act in business and in living life.

Bill was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, the Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, the Walker Fire Department, the Walker Polar Plunge Committee, Walker Industries, the Walker Area Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Northstar Sportsmen's Club, Walker Curling Club, Walker Area Community Center, Walker Jaycees, co-founder of Walker Bay Days, and the Minnesota Music Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Bill is survived by his wife Kathy, son Jonathan, daughter Briony, grandson Joseph, and his "adopted" children, Samantha Mueller and Joe Morrison; father-in-law, Willard Arends; brother Steve of Plymouth, MN, sisters Debbie (John) Grimley, Sue (Larry) Jacobson, and Stacy (Jerico) Worth, all of Walker as well as 21 nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Gloria Bieloh.

A Celebration of Bill's Life will be held at 4 p.m. (today) Tuesday, September 28, 2010, at the Moondance Jam Site, with visitation 2 hours prior to service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Walker Area Community Center and American Heart Association

Arrangements were entrusted to Dennis Funeral Home of Walker, Longville and Cass Lake.[[In-content Ad]]

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