Walter Frank Mehrkens

Walter F. Mehrkens, 89, of Mazeppa, died on Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at St. Marys Hospital ER in Rochester. He was born on October 4, 1922, in Kidder County, North Dakota, to Elsie (Siebrasse) and Fred Mehrkens. He attended schools near Goodhue and in Bear Valley through the eighth grade and helped on the family farm until joining the US Army on January 5, 1944. During World War II he served in the European Theatre of Operations. Walter was captured by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge and was a prisoner of war from Christmas Eve, 1944 until May of 1945. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Walter returned to Mazeppa and worked for Mazeppa Co-op Dairy hauling milk. On February 6, 1948 he married Maxine M. Adams at the parsonage of St. John's Lutheran Church - Bear Valley, in rural Mazeppa. They made their home in Mazeppa Township for a short time. Then, they moved to Rochester and purchased the Lundeen Hotel which they operated for one year before moving to Alaska. After working in Alaska for several years they purchased a farm in Mazeppa Township. They farmed until the early 1980's when they retired. In 1985 they built a house and moved into Mazeppa. Walter was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, and the American Legion in Mazeppa. He enjoyed having coffee with friends at Joes, going out to the farm, and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Walter is survived by his sons, Leon (Barbara) Mehrkens and Ted (Sheila) Mehrkens, both of Mazeppa, Wayne (Wendy) Mehrkens of St. Charles, Tim (Patricia) Mehrkens of Lake City; daughters, Candice (Dennis) Sprenger of Zumbrota, Vicki (Lowell) Scheffler of Mazeppa, Tina (Kevin) Ewert of Rochester; twenty-four grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; brother, Clarence (Lucille) Mehrkens of Mazeppa; sisters, Edna (Lawrence) Darcy of Mazeppa, Lila (Donald) Reese of Goodhue, Betty Mehrkens, Joyce (Kelly) Larson, both of Mazeppa; many nieces and nephews.

Walter was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine, who died on October 21, 2003.

Funeral service will be 11:00 AM on Friday, August 31, 2012 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Mazeppa with Pastor Alan Horn officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Prairie Dale Cemetery in rural Zumbro Falls. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 8:00 PM on Thursday August 30, 2012 at Mahn Family Funeral Home - Larson Chapel in Zumbrota and for one hour prior to the service at the church. www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com

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Visitation

AUG 30. 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM (CDT)

Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson Chapel
1475 Jefferson Drive
Zumbrota, MN 55992

Visitation

AUG 31. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)

St. John's Lutheran Church - Mazeppa
Mazeppa, MN

Service

AUG 31. 11:00 AM (CDT)

St. John's Lutheran Church - Mazeppa
Mazeppa, MN