Emil Pechacek, 90, Owatonna

Published 10:17 am Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Emil Pechacek, 90, of Owatonna, Minn., died Sunday, May 19, 2013, at his home at Realife.

Emil Pecachek

He was born Dec. 24, 1922, in Ellendale, Minn., the son of Frank and Martina (Meland) Pechacek. He attended Rural School Dist. 82, Steele County and a short time in Ellendale High School until his brothers were drafted into military service. He farmed with his father until his marriage to Gladys Wanous on Nov. 25, 1945, and continued farming there for 10 years. They moved to Moland Area, Dodge County in 1956 and continued farming and raising their family. He worked for Moland Creamery as a milk hauler and at the feed mill in Owatonna. Emil was a 4 H Leader in Steele County for several years for South Summit Sizzlers and Moland Huskies. He did volunteer work at Heritage Halls and Senior place. He held offices in Moland Lutheran Church and was Treasurer of West Ditch Group in Ellington Township.

Emil was on the advisory board for Steele Waseca Coop Electric, and was president and charter member of the Southern Honkers Camping Club. He was a 25-year member of the Winnebago Itasca Travelers, The Winnebago State Travelers Club and Good Sam Travelers. He enjoyed camping with friends and family and made many trips to all 50 states, besides trips to Panama, Caribbean, Bahamas and Canada.

He is survived by his wife, Gladys Pechacek of Owatonna; daughter, Doreen (and Keith) Kelley of Mendota Heights; son, Dale (and Cindy) Pechacek of Austin; daughter-in-law, Patti Jo Pechacek of Lake Elmo; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Dennis Pechacek; all his brothers and sisters; son-in-law, Donald Trapp.

Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, from 4 to 7 p.m. and at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church on Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 23, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church with the Rev. John Weisenburger and Nancy Edwardson officiating. Interment will be in the Bohemian National Cemetery in Summit Township. Memorials are preferred to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and Moland Lutheran Church.