Everett G. Hantge

Obituary

Everett George Hantge was born on January 5, 1935, in Penn Township, rural Brownton, Minnesota. He was the son of George and Selda (Kloempken) Hantge. Everett was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his faith as a youth, both at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Penn Township, rural Brownton. He received his education at country school District #64 in Penn Township and later graduated from the Brownton High School with the class of 1952. Everett furthered his education at Moorhead State University in Moorhead, Minnesota, and the Minnesota Military Academy. He later transferred to the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mortuary Science in 1963.

Everett entered military service in the United States National Guard on November 16, 1956, in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He was the Commander of the Minnesota National Guard Unit in Hutchinson, and served thirteen years in the unit, including one year of active duty. He received an Honorable Discharge on April 10, 1967, in Hutchinson, and achieved the rank of Captain.

On August 4, 1962, Everett was united in marriage to Maureen Behmler at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mound, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with two sons, Robert and Richard. Everett and Maureen resided in Golden Valley on Turners Crossroad where he built a unique tree house on telephone poles. They moved to Hutchinson in 1973. In 1978, they bought and rebuilt a cabin on Lake Marion’s Bungalow Point. Everett built an elevated deck over the water and called it a crow’s nest. The family made a camping trip to the Black Hills and Yellowstone in a 1960’s VW bug when the boys were small. Everett and Maureen took several trips with the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association.

Everett became a licensed funeral director in 1963. Following his licensure, he was employed at Albin Chapel and later Washburn McReavy Funeral Chapels in Minneapolis as a funeral director before coming to Hutchinson. In 1973, Everett and Maureen established Hantge Funeral Chapels in Hutchinson and Brownton. In 1978, they purchased the Dobratz Chapel in Hutchinson, and over the years, with sons and staff, expanded to neighboring communities.

Everett was united in marriage to Katherine “Kathy” (Christensen) Schulte, on May 5, 1996, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Litchfield. They resided in Litchfield, Darwin (Lake Washington), and recently Hutchinson.

Everett and Kathy enjoyed trips to Florida, Montana, South Dakota and many other states. Best of all was going twice yearly to Branson, Missouri with friends and family. Everett and Kathy enjoyed providing and caring for their foster daughter, Luna for three and a half years.

Throughout the years, Everett was very active in his community serving on many boards & committees. Everett was currently a member of First Lutheran Church in Litchfield, Minnesota. He was also a member of the Hutchinson American Legion Post 96, Brownton American Legion Post 143. He was a former member of Hutchinson Ambassadors and Hutchinson Kiwanis former chairman of Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, former chairman of United Way Program, former president of the Chamber of Commerce, past master of Guardian Lodge (Masonic) Brownton, past Noble Grand of Hassan Valley Lodge (I00F) Hutchinson, former president of the McLeod County Historical Society during construction of the Heritage Center, former president of Hutchinson Community Hospital Foundation, and former president of Burns Manor Memorial Committee. He also served 13 years on the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association Board, serving as president in 1991 and 1992. Everett was honored by the Hutchinson Jaycees as Mr. Hutchinson in 2013.

Everett enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s sports events, golfing, and motorcycling in his younger years. He also enjoyed meeting up almost daily with his card group for social hour and coffee. Everett had a special knack for writing poetry and even had several poems published. He loved telling jokes, dressing up in Halloween costumes, and shaking dice, especially liars dice. Everett especially cherished time spent with his family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends.

Everett passed away on Friday, August 15, 2025, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, at the age of 90 years.

Blessed be his memory.

Everett is survived by his:
Wife, Katherine Hantge of Hutchinson, MN;
Sons, Robert Hantge and his wife, Christie of Hutchinson, MN,
Richard Hantge and his wife, Wendy of Hutchinson, MN;
Step-son, Keith Schulte and his significant other, Brandy of Litchfield, MN;
Foster Daughter, Luna Lind-Behrends;
Grandchildren, Nicolas (Carrie) Hantge, Andrew (Leah) Hantge, Michael (Emily) Hantge, Gavin (Emily) Hantge, Jay Hantge, Jack Hantge;
Step-grandchildren, Jordan, Kenny, Hunter;
Great-grandchildren, Jaxson, Henry, Max, and expected great-grandson in December;
Siblings, Norene Schuette of Glencoe, MN,
Eldon Hantge and his wife, Marilyn of Glencoe, MN,
Lea Ette Peters of Brownton, MN;
Sisters-in-law, Bobbi Hantge of Hutchinson, MN,
Ardys Euerle of Dassel, MN;
Brothers-in-law, Larry “Porky” Buske and his wife, Pat of Green Valley, AZ,
Kenneth Christensen and his wife, Pam of Paynesville, MN;
Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Everett is preceded in death by his Parents, George and Selda Hantge; Siblings, Jean (Myron) Hoof, Don Hantge, Rhonda Buske; Brothers-in-law, Dale Peters, Duane Schuette.