Online Obituaries
Wednesday, July 7, 2004
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Robert William Eichinger Sr., 87, of New Ulm, Mission, Texas and Cold Spring, Mn died at 7:07 PM July 3, 2004 at St. Cloud Hospital of a stroke.
He was born on Jan. 12, 1917, in Red Wing, Minn. to George and Catherine (Coughlin) Eichinger.
He was a 1935 graduate of Red Wing High School.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Sallie (Darcella Meidl); brother Frederick; sisters, Mary Dengler and Kay Miller; nephews, Tim Eichinger and Robert Nilan.
He is survived by his loving wife, Virginia (Schnobrich); sons, Dr. Robert Eichinger (Mary), of Minneapolis, John Eichinger of New Ulm and George (Donetta) of McLean, Virginia; daughters, Anna Rohlfsen (Jerry) of Plymouth, Minn. and Julie Penrod of Elk River; sister, Helen Nilan of Woodbury, Minn., and brother, John Eichinger (Joan) of Orange, Calif.; sister-in-law Lois Eichinger of Woodbury Minn.; brother-in-law Stan Meidl (Barbara), sister-in-law Betty Grams (Marvin) of New Ulm; stepsons, Chris Schnobrich (Laurie)of Antigo, Wis., Steve Schnobrich (Vickie) of New Ulm; and a stepdaughter Lynn Sanders (Jack) of Marshall, Texas; eight grandchildren; Robert Eichinger (Marian) and Gretchen Eichinger of Minneapolis, Michael Rohlfsen (Dr. Mimi Cho) of Edina, Dr. Joanna Rohlfsen (Robert Rebischke) of Minneapolis, Alissa Eichinger and George Eichinger of Mclean, Virginia, Will Penrod of Cedar Falls, Iowa and Karl Penrod of Ames, Iowa: five stepgrandchildren, Tony Cocchiarella and Gina Krenek (Brian) of Houston, Ryan Schnobrich (Risa) of Oak Park CA, Adrian Schnobrich of Antigo, Wis., Michael Schnobrich of Minneapolis : two great-granddaughters, Sophia Rohlfsen and Iris Eichinger and stepgrandson, Cole Krenek.
Services pending, most likely morning of Saturday July 24, because of the conflict with Heritagefest.
Bob enjoyed a full and extraordinary life with 28 years of happy and productive retirement. He was extremely proud of his family and delighted in the recent arrival of and visits from his new great-grandchildren. Bob enjoyed many hobbies, sharpened all of the knives of the entire family, and could fix anything, although sometimes with consequences such as falling off the roof or sawing off the tip of his thumb. You couldn't cook a dish he wouldn't eat nor cook anything better than his chicken or steaks on the grill. The essence of Bob was family, friends, cards, Dixieland, the Minnesota Twins, driving on long trips, golf, fishing, turning off lights, killing flies, finding a sale, the color blue and onions.
Gregory T. Kassuelke , Age 57. Loving father, devoted companion.
On June 28, 2004 Greg sailed away under clear skies on a Beam Reach and reached out and touched the face of God.
Preceded in death by parents, Leander and Elda; baby brother Steven.
Survived by sons, Shay of Cold Spring, and Garrett of Bloomington; special companion Jan Koehler of Champlin; former wife Donna Kassuelke of Brooklyn Park; brother, Douglas Kassuelke of North Mankato, sister, Janice Jordan of Kasota.
Celebration of Life is 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 10, at BRADSHAW CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTER, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard (NW comer of Hwy 36 and Co. Rd 5).
Memorial Gathering one hour prior to service at funeral home. Private Interment.
Arrangements by Bradshaw Funeral and Cremation ServiceS,
(651) 439-5511
Carol Lieb , 71, formerly of New Ulm, died Friday, July 2, 2004 in St. Paul.
Services were 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 6 at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home, Lino Lakes.
Burial is 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 7 at New Ulm Catholic Cemetery.
She is survived by her children, Brian, Robin, Chris and Karl and seven grandchildren.
She was born Dec. 20, 1932 in New Ulm to Otto and Emma (Koch) Stueber.
Gerald "Jerry " Schuft , 67 of Brownton, Minn., passed away Tuesday, June 15, 2004, at the Hutchinson Community Hospital in Hutchinson, Minnesota.
Funeral Services were held 11:00 A.M. Monday, June 21, 2004, at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota, with interment in Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson.
Clergy Officiating: Pastor David Christensen, Pastor Paulus Pilgrim
Gerald Erich Schuft was born on October 8, 1936, in Penn Township, McLeod County, Minnesota. He was the son of Erich and Martha (Tietz) Schuft. Jerry was baptized as an infant in 1936, and was later confirmed in his faith as a youth on March 18, 1951, both at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Penn Township, Minnesota. He received his education in Brownton, Minnesota.
Jerry resided in rural Brownton, Minnesota at his home on Lake Marion since 1966. He owned and operated the Rainy Water Conditioning Company from 1968 to 1999, serving the Hutchinson area. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Minnesota. Jerry was also a past member of the Brownton Civic and Commerce, a lifelong member of the Brownton Rod and Gun Club, and trustee for the Czech Concertina Club.
Jerry was widely known throughout the Midwestern United States as a prominent musician for his concertina music. His interest in music started at an early age. In 1952, he had a hunting accident and seriously injured his left chest and shoulder. He was in therapy for quite a while and started playing his brother, Ed's button accordion; but preferred the sound of the concertina. He purchased his first concertina, which needed work, from Wenzel Fisher. The concertina came by train from New Ulm to Brownton. He purchased sheet music and did lots of practicing. He would go to various ballrooms, listened to concertina players and when he got home late at night, he would practice more, so he would not forget how the tune went. His father would say, "Put that thing away, or I'll throw both of you out the window!" His first job was in 1954, for a fox party, in the Hamburg Hall basement. When he returned from that job, his father asked him where he had been? Jerry emptied his pockets and had over thirty dollars. His mother looked at it and said church starts at 9:30. She was not very happy and most of the money went into the collection plate.
In 1957, Jerry joined the Ivan Kahle Band in Norwood, Minnesota and performed an average of four nights a week. He held employment during the day at Doug's Music Shop in Glencoe, Minnesota where he repaired reed and brass instruments for 47 high schools. He joined and co- owned the Earl Schmidt Band in Cologne, Minnesota from 1960 to 1970. During this time, the band traveled to the various ballrooms including the Prom in St. Paul, the Marigold in Minneapolis, the Surf in Clearwater, Iowa and George's in New Ulm. In 1970, Jerry purchased the remaining half of the Schmidt Band and continued operating it for the next fifteen years, until he retired in 1985. A statement made by Jerry when he retired from music, "My time is up, Thank you for yours!" During his career, Jerry had produced many records, cassettes and CDs. Jerry sold all of his musical equipment except his favorite concertina, a 1932 Patek. Jerry will be inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame on November 5, 2004. His family will be receiving the award in his honor.
Jerry enjoyed fishing and golfing aside from his love for music and bands. Jerry especially enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Jerry is survived by his special friend, Diane Neubarth of Brownton, Minn,; daughters, Colleen Mickolichek and her husband, John, of Hutchinson, MN; Laurie Mathews and her husband, Matt, of Hutchinson, MN; grandchildren, Colby Mickolichek, Brady Mickolichek, Liana Mickolichek, Jessica Field, Joshua Field, and Spencer Casey; brothers and sisters, Melvin Schuft of Gaylord, Rho Della Grochow and her husband, Melvin, of Hutchinson, Edgar Schuft and his wife, Delores, of Arlington, Doriane Carlson and her husband, Wallace, of Arlington; ex-spouse/mother of children, Delores Schuft, of Hutchinson; and many other relatives and friends.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Erich and Martha Schuft, sister Adeline Schuft, and sister-in-law, Lucille Schuft.
Arrangements by Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson.