Alan Van Drehle

Alan D. Van Drehle, age 53 of New Munich, completed his life's journey surrounded by his family on Thursday, September 4, 2014 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer at his home in New Munich, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, September 8 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich with Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose.

Alan Donald Van Drehle was born August 14, 1961 in Melrose, Minnesota to John and Marion (Olmscheid) Van Drehle. He graduated from Melrose High School in 1979. On September 2, 1989 he was united in marriage to Lynn Thelen at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich. Alan farmed on the family farm until 1986 when he purchased his own dairy farm just outside of New Munich. He took pride in being a farmer and was dedicated to his profession.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich and served on the parish council, and was a member of the New Munich Lions. Alan liked to collect pedal tractors and toy tractors. He enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings and loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Lynn Van Drehle of New Munich; children, Brittany and Brady Van Drehle, both at home; brothers and sisters, Donald (Helen) Van Drehle of Melrose, Kathleen (Paul) Buermann of Greenwald, Joan (Harold) Rademacher of Greenwald, Richard (Charlene) Van Drehle of Melrose, Doris (Fred) Kraemer of Greenwald, Darlene (Rueben) Nathe of Sauk Centre, Bob (Renee) Van Drehle of Spring Hill, Irene (Gary) Marthaler of Meire Grove, David (Luann) Van Drehle of New Munich, Carol (Dale) Athmann of St. Cloud, and Alfred (Alvina) Van Drehle of Elrosa; and father and mother-in-law, Otto and Fran Thelen of New Munich.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Marion Van Drehle.

Serving as casket bearers will be Cory Nathe, Justin Van Drehle, Jerry Rieland, Alfred Van Drehle, Kurt Marthaler, Mark Rademacher, Dennis Feldewerd, and Dave Van Drehle. Cross bearer will be Aaron Van Drehle and scripture bearer will be Kristi Zimmer.