Perry Hassler

Perry W. Hassler age 88 of Pine Island died on Monday, March 20, 2006 at the Pine Haven Care Center, where he had been a resident since spring of 2003. A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, March 24, 2006 at 2:00 P.M. at the Mahn Family Funeral Home ? Mahler Chapel in Pine Island with Pastor Chris Friese of First Baptist Church in St. Francis, MN officiating. Inurnment will be in the Pine Island Cemetery with military honors provided by the Charles Cowden American Legion Post #184. Visitation will be on Friday one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Perry William Hassler was born on March 29, 1917 in rural Howard, South Dakota to Herman and Lena (nee Wunder) Hassler. In 1925 he moved with his family to the Pine Island area. He helped on the family farm until entering the U.S. Army on April 4, 1941. He served in Germany, Sicily and North Africa and was awarded the Silver Star. On July 8, 1945 he was honorably discharged and he returned to Pine Island where he farmed and worked for the Gibson, then Hess Lumber Company. Perry and his brother operated Hassler Brother Sand and Gravel and he also had his own corn shelling business. Later he worked for Minnesota Cheese Producers and Land-O-Lakes, from which he retired. Perry was a member of the Pine Island Volunteer Fire Department and Charles Cowden American Legion Post #184 in Pine Island. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, watching the Twins, doing woodworking projects, and making rosettes for family and friends. Perry is survived by one brother, Sino (Dorothy) Hassler of Pine Island and one sister, Mildred (Donald) Krause of Zumbrota, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Earl and Warren Hassler and two sisters, Esther Stoll and Kathryn Forbeck. Honorary bearers are the retired members of the Pine Island Volunteer Fire Department. The family suggests memorials to the Pine Island Volunteer Fire Department.