Henry B. Wacholtz, 89
Published 10:45 am Thursday, March 1, 2012
Henry B. Wacholtz, 89, of Austin, died Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012, at the Adams Healthcare Center.
Henry Wacholtz
Henry was born April 7, 1922, in Urbank, Minn., to Theodore and Elizabeth (Koep) Wacholtz. At two months of age, his family moved to Albert Lea, Minn., where Henry grew up. He attended school through the ninth grade. Henry worked for the Albert Lea Tribune before entering the Navy in 1942. While in the Navy, his merchant ship was torpedoed in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa. The crew spent 11 days in a lifeboat making their way to Ascension Island to safety. Henry was discharged from the navy in 1945.
On April 14, 1944, he was united in marriage to Barbara Bassler of Austin, and they resided in Austin their entire married life. Henry worked for the Hormel Company on the guard force for 30 years. He was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church, the American Legion, VFW, Eagles and Elks. Henry and Barbara spent most weekends at the lake, boating, entertaining and fishing. Henry also liked to keep busy, so he built five new homes for his family. In his retirement, he spent many hours in his workshop making birdhouses and wood baskets.
Survivors include his daughter, Cynthia (Harvey) Heimer, Adams; son, Jon Wacholtz, Austin; grandchildren, Allison Heimer (John) Kollofski, Aaron Heimer, Adam Heimer, Sara Miller; great-grandchildren, Burton Wacholtz, Sydney and Jack Miller, Brady, Jayci, Katelyn, Brandon Heimer, Logan Kollofski; sisters, Betty (Jim) Herplinck, Albert Lea, Helen Olsen, Winona; many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara on Oct. 5, 2006; sister, Theresa; brothers, Leonard, Albert, Hubert and Lawrence.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 2, 2012, at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Jim Steffes officiating. There will be a 6 p.m. wake service on Thursday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and one hour before the service at the church on Friday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216.
The casket bearers will be Aaron Heimer, Adam Heimer, Burton Wacholtz, Jack Miller, Brady Heimer and John Kollofski.
Memorials are preferred to Pacelli High School, American Red Cross, Adams Assisted Living and Care Center, or donor’s choice.