Neil Herbert Koebnick

Obituary

Neil Herbert Koebnick was born March 30, 1935, the son of Herbert and Anna (Rettmann) Koebnick, at the Koebnick home farm in Preston Lake Township, Renville County, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Buffalo Lake. Neil grew up in Preston Lake Township, and received his education in the country school.

On November 24, 1957, Neil was united in marriage to Ethel Kay Sund at the First English Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. They made their home in Victoria, Minnesota, and were blessed with three children, Tim, Greg, and Carla. After Neil’s retirement in the early 1990s, he and Ethel returned to the Koebnick farm home place between Stewart and Buffalo Lake. They enjoyed their retirement years there until relocating to Chaska. Neil and Ethel shared 58 years of marriage.

Neil was an operating engineer. He worked with George Madsen Construction, and Mortenson Construction. Neil was a 49’er, a member of the Minneapolis St. Paul Local Union 49 for Operating Engineers. He retired in the early 1990s.

While living in Victoria, Neil was a member of the Lions Club. He was an avid hunter, and in his younger years hunted ducks, pheasants, geese, and deer. He also loved fishing and being on the lake, and enjoyed their lake home on Lake Minnie Belle and many years of ice fishing on Lake Mille Lacs. Neil was always willing to lend a helping hand to those who needed help. He loved polka music.

Early Sunday morning, January 31, 2016, Neil passed away at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, having reached the age of 80 years. Blessed be his memory.

Neil is survived by his: Wife, Ethel Koebnick of Chaska;

Children: Tim Koebnick and his fiancé Julie Panning, of Chaska,
          Greg Koebnick and his wife Jessie of Chaska, and
          Carla Skaja and her husband John of Victoria;

Grandchildren: Chris Koebnick of Chaska, Madison Koebnick of Chaska, Tyler Koebnick of Ramsey, Krista (Matt) Coleman of Princeton, Sierra (Jerico) Granadil of Eagan, Ashley Skaja of Victoria, Harlee Skaja of Victoria, Delanie Skaja of Victoria, Hunter Panning of Chaska, Makena Panning of Chaska, Reghan Panning of Chaska, Tanya U’Ren of Roseville, Jacob (Lexi) Hafften of Bloomington, Haley Hafften (fiancé Eric Ladner) of Watertown;

Great-Grandchildren: Olivia Koebnick, Eli Coleman, Logan Coleman, Phoenix Granadil, Cora Hafften, Lucas Hafften;

Brother-in-law and Sisters-in-law;

Nieces, Nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Neil was preceded in death by his Parents, Sister Shirley Bulau, and by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.