Alvin Wiechman

Obituary

Alvin Henry Wiechman was born August 21, 1930, in Jackson, Minnesota, the son of Albert John and Hilda (Bohlken) Wiechman. He was baptized as an infant at the Rost Township Church near Lakefield, Minnesota, and confirmed in his faith as a youth at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Worthington, Minnesota. Alvin grew up in the Worthington area where he attended school through the 8th grade. The family later settled in the Cosmos, Minnesota area. Alvin attended and received his High School Certification as an adult. Alvin served his country in the U. S. Army, joining in January of 1955 with Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and later being transferred to Fort Lewis near Tacoma, Washington. Alvin received an Honorable Medical Discharge in November, 1955.

On October 13, 1957, Alvin was united in marriage to Eunice Radtke at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Cedar Mills, Minnesota. This union of 46 years was blessed with six children: Wendy, Dwight, Allan, Donna, Sara, and Wade. Alvin and Eunice made their home in the Stewart, Minnesota, area. Alvin worked many different jobs in his life, finally settling on his passion for farming.

Alvin and Eunice enjoyed traveling, and most of all spending time with family and friends. Alvin liked to travel, and especially enjoyed his trips to North Dakota, South Dakota, the Grand Canyon, New Mexico, Southern Texas, Washington D.C. and the surrounding area. He enjoyed good conversation, and was quick to crack jokes. He was an avid reader, with his favorite topics being American History, Native American History and Culture, Westerns, Readers Digest, and National Geographic magazine. He liked watching sports on television.

Alvin was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Stewart. He was also an active member of the De Gree-Fleisch American Legion Post 125 of Stewart, and faithfully joined those members providing funeral military honors for his fellow comrades.

After the passing of Eunice in 2003, Alvin started attending area Senior dance get-togethers where he met his special friend and companion, Elsie Gilster. They have shared 13 years of close friendship, attending old time dances in the area and visiting with many friends.

Alvin was very excited and always happy when he could drive his John Deere 60 in local antique tractor pulls, boasting that over the years he had received over 90 trophies. In late October of this year, the Wiechmans had a small family outing where Alvin and the kids went out to the farm to hear the putt, putt, putt of his JD60 pulling tractor……what a day that was and what a huge smile we all received that day. That small lovable grin will stay with us forever. Alvin was a great father who loved his children unconditionally and was always understanding and compassionate, being a great role model for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Many life lessons have been taught with a gentle hand and will always be remembered.

On Thursday evening, December 6, 2018, Alvin passed away at the Harmony River Living Center where he had spent the past few months. He had reached the age of 88 years, 3 months, 15 days. May the Lord bless the memory of Alvin to all who love him and who sorrow at his death.

Alvin is survived by his:

Children:       Dwight Wiechman and his Wife, Pam, of Stewart, Minnesota,
                        Allan Wiechman and his Wife, Cyndi, of The Colony, Texas,
                        Donna Hinnenkamp and her Husband, Dave, of Sauk Centre, Minnesota,
                        Sara Wiechman of Columbia Heights, Minnesota,  
                        Wade Wiechman and his Wife, Casey, of Chaska, Minnesota;

Grandchildren: Dawn Horn of Garland, Texas; Jessica (Kris) Hoffmann of New Ulm, Minnesota; Kortney (Jon) Fettig of Bismarck, North Dakota; Steven (Jacky) Hensley of Alexandria, Minnesota; Amber Hensley of Alexandria, Minnesota; Cody Wiechman of Glencoe, Minnesota; Katrina Krienke of Chaska, Minnesota; Daniel Runningen of Ashby, Minnesota; and Piper Wiechman of Chaska, Minnesota;

Great-Grandchildren: Lance, Haven, Kaylene, Brielle, Jayden, Gretta, Haley, Wyatt, McCoy, Tessa, Isiah, Joey, and Ellie;

Special Friend and Companion, Elsie Gilster of Lester Prairie, Minnesota;

Nephews: Jim (Karen) Schendel of Duluth, Minnesota, and Greg (Anita) Schendel of Duluth, Minnesota;

cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Alvin was preceded in death by his: Parents, Albert John and Hilda Wiechman; Wife, Eunice Wiechman; Daughter, Wendy Wiechman; Sister and Brother-in-law, Pauline Schendel and her Husband Herbert; Father-in-law Reinhardt Radtke; Mother-in-law and Stepfather-in-law, Laura and Harvey Bach; and by his foster Brother-in-law, Jim Johnstone.