Albert Hinnenkamp

Albert T. "Trottle" Hinnenkamp, age 86, of Melrose, died on Saturday, February 23, 2008 at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 1 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Vincent Lieser officiating. Interment will be held in the parish cemetery with military honors provided by the Melrose Veteran Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Melrose Veterans Honor Guard will pray at 7 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

Albert Theodore Hinnenkamp was born September 2, 1921 in Melrose to Aloysius "Alex" and Mary (Zirbes) Hinnenkamp. He was united in marriage to Rita Schulzetenberg on December 27, 1949 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. Al served as a pilot for the Army Air Corp over Europe during WWII leaving the service in 1946. He then was in Reserves and lectured in various states. He was called back into the Air Force and served a second tour of active duty from June 1953 to July 1972 as a Flight Safety Officer/Director of Safety.

Survivors include his wife, Merlen Biebesheimer of the Villages, Florida; children, Gary (Laura) Hinnenkamp of Sauk Centre, and Linda (David) Orth of Melrose; 4 grandchildren, Michael, Eric, Kristen, and Jenna Orth, all of Melrose; 7 step-grandchildren; 4 step-great grandchildren; brothers, Don Hinnenkamp of Perham, Gene Hinnenkamp of Mary Ester, Florida, and Art Hinnenkamp of Clear Lake; and sister, Erma Schriver of Santa Clara, California.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rita Schulzetenberg in April of 1971; brothers-in-law, Anthony Mareck, Roman Schulzetenberg, and Ray Thielen; sisters-in-law, Caroline Mareck and Loretta Hinnenkamp; and niece, Mary Fran Myers.

Serving as casket bearers will be Michael Orth, Eric Orth, Glenn Berscheit, Robert Hinnenkamp, John Hinnenkamp, Phil Osendorf, Marvin Thielen, and Alan Mayers. Cross bearer will be Kristen Orth and scripture bearer will be Bruce Schulzetenberg. Scripture readers for the mass will also be Al Mayers, Bruce Schulzetenberg, and Dan Hinnenkamp.Serving as honorary bearers will be Al Mayers, Joe Schulzetenberg, Don Hinnenkamp, Art Hinnenkamp, Ed Schulzetenberg, Joe Berscheit, and Cyril Braegelmann.Serving as gift bearers will be Jenna Orth, Ann Hoey, and Ava Mayers.