Obituary of William Reid Kanuit

Kanuit, William Reid, age 79, of Excelsior, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born on May 2, 1944 in Hermantown, MN. He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and went on to earn his Master of Science from Syracuse University. Bill’s first career was as a science and biology teacher and driver training instructor at Wayzata High School. After a few years, he left teaching and started Lakehead Oil Company, where he delivered oil for home heating. Eventually, Lakehead transitioned out of oil delivery and ultimately owned and operated 16 convenience stores, primarily located in northern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Bill was married at a young age and had two daughters, Sandra and Shari, with first wife Marcia. He married Margaret in 1984 and they enjoyed nearly 40 years together, spending time in Excelsior, Maui, Duluth and Lakewood Ranch, Florida. Bill loved his lakes (Pike, Minnetonka, Superior), speedboats, convertibles, Cheetos, an ice cold Coke and chocolate chip cookies. He was extremely devoted to Margaret, daughter Kari and granddaughter Cate. He spent his final year at Trouvaille Memory Care Suites, where he was lovingly cared for by a tremendous team of nurses, caregivers and other staff, true angels on earth.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Wilma, sister Kate Belcher and her husband Marty, identical twin brother Bob Kanuit and his wife Marge, and stepson Mike Moores. He is survived by wife Margaret, daughters Sandra Nelson and Shari Kanuit, stepdaughters Kathie Cisek and Kari (Kal) Bedford, grandchildren Alli (Jason) Sebok, Theo Klika, Grace (Walter) Schneider, Colby Moores, Emma Cisek, Lily Cisek and Cate Duffey, seven great-grandchildren, sister Joan (John) Danzl and several nieces and nephews. Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30am Saturday, October 7th at Shorewood Community & Event Center, 5735 Country Club Road, Shorewood, with lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Benetrou, Inc. (trouvaillehomes.com/give). We love you forever, Baboo. 2 Timothy 4:7