1935
John
2012
John Leonard Walch
April 4, 1935 — November 11, 2012
In the peace of his home, John Leonard Walch of Zumbrota, died on Sunday, November 11, 2012. John will be remembered as a man who lived his faith and deeply loved his family. John was born on April 4th, 1935 in Altura, Minnesota to Leonard and Lucile (Frisch) Walch. He was one of nine children, blessed to grow up in a family that worked hard and celebrated life together.
He attended high schools in Seward, Alaska and Lewiston, Minnesota. While attending Lewiston High School, John met Rebecca Wirt, a bright young woman whose warm heart and sparkling smile captured his heart. They dated during high school and continued their courtship through college. The couple wed on July 26, 1958, the same year John completed his undergraduate studies at St. Mary's University in Winona, MN.
John then attended the University of Minnesota, where he studied Veterinary Medicine. Upon his graduation, the couple made their home in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota where they raised their four children. John practiced as a veterinarian and then partnered to build the Blooming Prairie Veterinary Clinic. John had a deep and lasting appreciation for the relationships that developed with farmers, clients and associates over the years.
John was active in the Blooming Prairie community. He was a member of the St. Columbanus Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Jaycees, and served on the school board. Before retiring in 1999, he spent several years working as an inspector for the US Department of Agriculture.
In 2000, John and Rebecca retired to Zumbrota, Minnesota where he continued to spend time celebrating life with family, practicing his Catholic faith, tending to his trees and lawn, reading, debating politics, and relaxing to beautiful music. Those who knew John will continue to be inspired by his deep faith and loyalty to family.
John is survived by his children, Philip (Nora) Walch of Rochester, Sara Walch of White Bear Township, Diana (Jay) Smith of Stillwater and Johanna (David) Brandvik of Altadena, California; his grandchildren Meghan (Sultan) Mirzoyev, Teresa Walch, Abby Walch, Ellie Walch, Aron Mozes, Gergely Mozes, Kinga Mozes, Luca Mozes, Hannah Smith, Noah Smith, Kate Smith, Freya Brandvik, Esme Brandvik and Willa Brandvik; siblings, Cabrini Walch, Joan (Don) Simon, Roman (Mary) Walch, Kathryn (Richard) Kreutter, and Rita (Jim) Suchomel.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca (nee Wirt) Walch, who died on March 10, 2011; one brother, Thomas Walch; and two sisters, Genevieve Roth, and Mary Kronebusch.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 16th, 2012 at 3:00 pm at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Zumbrota with Father Randal Kasel officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the church. Burial will be at St. Mary's Oak Ridge Cemetery at a later date. Memorial gifts can be made to Sisters of St. Francis at Assisi Heights (1001 14th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901), St. Paul's Catholic Church (749 S. Main Street, Zumbrota, MN 55992), or Mayo Clinic Heart Disease Research Program (Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905).
Zumbrota, MN
Zumbrota, MN
He attended high schools in Seward, Alaska and Lewiston, Minnesota. While attending Lewiston High School, John met Rebecca Wirt, a bright young woman whose warm heart and sparkling smile captured his heart. They dated during high school and continued their courtship through college. The couple wed on July 26, 1958, the same year John completed his undergraduate studies at St. Mary's University in Winona, MN.
John then attended the University of Minnesota, where he studied Veterinary Medicine. Upon his graduation, the couple made their home in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota where they raised their four children. John practiced as a veterinarian and then partnered to build the Blooming Prairie Veterinary Clinic. John had a deep and lasting appreciation for the relationships that developed with farmers, clients and associates over the years.
John was active in the Blooming Prairie community. He was a member of the St. Columbanus Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Jaycees, and served on the school board. Before retiring in 1999, he spent several years working as an inspector for the US Department of Agriculture.
In 2000, John and Rebecca retired to Zumbrota, Minnesota where he continued to spend time celebrating life with family, practicing his Catholic faith, tending to his trees and lawn, reading, debating politics, and relaxing to beautiful music. Those who knew John will continue to be inspired by his deep faith and loyalty to family.
John is survived by his children, Philip (Nora) Walch of Rochester, Sara Walch of White Bear Township, Diana (Jay) Smith of Stillwater and Johanna (David) Brandvik of Altadena, California; his grandchildren Meghan (Sultan) Mirzoyev, Teresa Walch, Abby Walch, Ellie Walch, Aron Mozes, Gergely Mozes, Kinga Mozes, Luca Mozes, Hannah Smith, Noah Smith, Kate Smith, Freya Brandvik, Esme Brandvik and Willa Brandvik; siblings, Cabrini Walch, Joan (Don) Simon, Roman (Mary) Walch, Kathryn (Richard) Kreutter, and Rita (Jim) Suchomel.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca (nee Wirt) Walch, who died on March 10, 2011; one brother, Thomas Walch; and two sisters, Genevieve Roth, and Mary Kronebusch.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 16th, 2012 at 3:00 pm at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Zumbrota with Father Randal Kasel officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 1:00 - 3:00 pm at the church. Burial will be at St. Mary's Oak Ridge Cemetery at a later date. Memorial gifts can be made to Sisters of St. Francis at Assisi Heights (1001 14th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901), St. Paul's Catholic Church (749 S. Main Street, Zumbrota, MN 55992), or Mayo Clinic Heart Disease Research Program (Mayo Clinic, Department of Development, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905).
Visitation
NOV 16. 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (CST)
St. Paul's Catholic ChurchZumbrota, MN
Service
NOV 16. 3:00 PM (CST)
St. Paul's Catholic ChurchZumbrota, MN
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