Honored citizen Herb Wilson (left) of Pillager, was named Herb Wilson, of Pillager, was recently named “Citizen of the Year;” an honor bestowed annually by the Pillager Fairboard.

The award was presented to Herb at the Fiddler’s Contest in Pillager April 10, before a crowd of nearly 400 people.

“He was so surprised...he had no idea this was going to happen,” said Herb’s wife Gerry. “Herb said he wondered why all of the kids decided to come home that weekend,” she added.

All four of the Wilson’s children (Steve, Debbie, Teri and Wendy) traveled from the Twin Cities area to see Herb get his award.

“We have eight grandkids and five greatgrandkids, too. Many of them were able to be there as well. Even some of our friends from Alexandria and Eagle Bend came for the event. It was really special,” Gerry said.

The 81-year-old was nominated by Marlene Kort of Pillager.

“He’s just an all-around good person,” Marlene said recently. “I knew him growing up. He used to help my mom cut wood and made sure our family had heat and food when times were tough. He was a helpful person years ago and he’s still a good neighbor today.”

Herb grew up on a farm outside of Pillager and attended the Pillager School. In 1954, he married Gerry (Erickson) and the two would spend the next 30-some years in the Twin Cities area, where they raised their family and Herb worked as a machinist.

He also served in the Korean War.

“After Herb retired in 1986, we bought his parents’ farm (George and Grace Wilson) and moved back to Pillager,” Gerry said. “We love it here.”

Not one to sit around, Herb quickly got involved with different community organizations. He’s an active member of the Pillager Lions, has served as Commander of the VFW clubs in both Pillager and Randall; and has been a strong supporter of the Pillager Fairboard.

“It’s because of Herb that we have our new community center in Pillager,” said Pillager Fairboard President Arnie Cole.

When the Pillager VFW folded, there was approximately $75,000 left over in the treasury, Arnie explained.

“Herb felt like the money was made here and it should stay here,” Arnie said. “All of it went toward the community center.”

In addition to helping secure financing to build the Pillager Community Center, Herb volunteered many hours of his time during its construction.

“He was there everyday helping hang steel and doing anything else he could,” Arnie said. “Herb’s an outstanding person. He won’t ask for a dime for anything.”

Marlene said she can’t think of a more deserving person than Herb to have received this award.

“He has done so much work with charities; he means a lot to this community.”

Two days after receiving the Citizen of the Year trophy, Herb had surgery for bladder cancer. Gerry said that the surgery went well and she hopes her husband will be home and feeling better before too long.

“We’ve got him on two prayer chains,” Marlene said. “He’d do the same for any of us.”