Willow River Cemetery

Established in 1850, Willow River Cemetery is one of Hudson’s most historic landmarks and the final resting place of many of the community’s early settlers, veterans, business leaders, and families who helped shape the region and the community. Willow River Cemetery is an independent, non-profit cemetery, not associated with the City of Hudson. With nearly 10,000 gravesites, it offers a unique window into Hudson’s history through its monuments, symbols, and remarkable personal stories. Join us to learn more about the cemetery’s rich history and the important role Willow River Cemetery continues to play in preserving Hudson’s legacy for future generations.

Joining us are three members representing Willow River Cemetery: Caretaker Mike Miller and two members of the Board of Directors, President Ron Kapaun and Secretary Leanne Van Allen.

Mike Miller has dedicated more than 30 years to caring for Willow River Cemetery, a place that first became familiar to him as a teenager. During high school, he spent his summers performing maintenance work at the cemetery, enjoying a job that was within walking distance of his home and kept him active outdoors. Although he never envisioned a future in cemetery management at the time, those early experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment. Today, as caretaker of Willow River Cemetery, Mike takes pride in preserving the grounds and honoring the memories of those laid to rest there.

Born and raised in Hudson, Ron is a lifelong member of the community. Now retired, he enjoyed a tremendously successful 40-year career at 3M, spending the first 20 years in research and development and the latter 20 as a safety engineer. Ron has served on the Willow River Cemetery Board for the past nine years and has been very instrumental in guiding the continued success of the cemetery.

Leanne joined the Willow River Cemetery Board in 2023 and is proud to be carrying on her father’s legacy of service on the board. Her family moved to Hudson when she was very young, giving her the opportunity to grow up in—and later give back to—the community where she and her husband, also a lifelong Hudson resident, have raised their two daughters. For the past 13 years, Leanne has served as the Director of Business Graduate Programs at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls. Prior to that, she spent 20 years as an executive in the staffing industry.

Remarkably, Mike, Ron, and Leanne all grew up within blocks of Willow River Cemetery. This historic and meaningful community fixture has long been near and dear to all of them.

Invocation: Jamie Johnson

Greeters: Tom Van Pelt & Al Wilkie