George Fortune Jr

George V. Fortune Jr., age 82 of Cottage Grove, passed away August 6, 2017 at Norris Square Senior Living in Cottage Grove.

Funeral will be 11:00 am Friday, August 11, 2017 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 - 80th Street S., Cottage Grove with visitation starting at 9:00 am. Interment St. Anne’s Catholic Cemetery, Somerset, WI. Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association, The Alzheimers Association or Donor’s Choice. A special thank you to the Norris Square Staff and HealthEast Hospice for their compassionate care.

George Vernon Fortune Jr. was born on May 29, 1935 in Rahway, New Jersey to George Sr. and Dorothy (Babbage). He grew up in New Jersey and went on to Lehigh University in Pennsylvania where he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. George entered active duty in the Army where he served as a Ranger from 1962-1964. While in the military he was stationed in Pohang, Korea and was involved in the construction of a petroleum storage facility. In 1966, he moved to St. Paul where he started his career with the Army Corp of Engineers. George met Carol (Parnell) Post and they were united in marriage on August 20, 1966 and made their home in Cottage Grove. Through the years, George was involved in several large scale projects, but one of his favorites was a project in Rochester where he spent 18 years on the planning and design committee on the Rochester Flood Control Project. As a child, George was a member of the Boy Scouts, and as an adult, he was able to get involved in the local scouting program where he served as a treasurer. He enjoyed his dogs, downhill skiing, camping and going on multiple cruises with Carol.

He was preceded in death by wife Carol; parents, George and Dorothy; son-in-law, Brad Olson and brother-in-law Richard Tilkin. Survived by daughter Debbie Olson; sons Richard (Pam) Post, Bob Post and Randy Post; 8 grandchildren, Mike Post, Carli Sam, Katie Heinritz, Aaron Post, Gina Post, Jessica Post, Dave Olson and Dan Olson; 11 great-grandchildren, Austin, Benjamin and Claire Sam, Natalie and Alaina Post, Carolina, Emelia, Lila and Magnolia Heinritz, Lena Post and Connor Olson; sister Cynthia Tilkin; sister-in-law Anita Tobin and several nieces and nephews.