Harry Otis Askerud, 83, of Austin, died Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Home.

Harry was born May 29, 1928, in Albert Lea, Minn., to Haakon and Marie (Drugsvold) Askerud. He graduated from Spring Valley High School and attended vocational school in Austin for HVAC and welding. On July 16, 1949, he was united in marriage to Loretta Ann Bowe at St. Francis Church in Rochester, Minn. Harry was in the Air Force. He worked for Hormel for 23 years, was self employed in the business of home maintenance in Austin and managed apartments and condos in the Minneapolis area. His last place of employment was Rockford Inc. in Hopkins, Minn. Harry was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church, Eagle’s Club and the Legion.

Harry was very mechanical, a carpenter, plumber, electrician, welder, refrigeration, heating and boiler licensed. He was a Jack of all trades and loved to travel. Harry loved spending his winters in Arizona.  He loved his family and used to say “not a bad apple in the bunch.”

Survivors include his wife, Loretta Askerud, Austin, Minn.; children, Rick (Kelly) Askerud, Wabasha, Minn., Peggy Heimer, Wabasha, Ava (Dave) Ingebritson, Rochester, Minn., Bonnie (Marlin) Anderson, Angora, Minn., Lisa (Joe) Mandler, Stillwater, Minn., Theresa (Todd) Houston, Bay City, Wis.; 22 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Myron Heimer.

A Funeral Mass for Harry Askerud will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Jim Steffes officiating. The family will greet friends one hour before the service at the church on Thursday. Arrangements are by Mayer Funeral Home.