Arthur Middendorf

Arthur N. "Art" Middendorf, age 75 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully in his loving wife's arms on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 25 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Greg Paffel officiating with Rev. Tim Wenzel concelebrating. Interment will be at St. Paul's Cemetery in Sauk Centre.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home followed by a rosary by the Christian Mothers.

Arthur Norbert Middendorf was born June 17, 1940 in Melrose, Minnesota to Joseph and Veronica (Toenyan). Middendorf. He grew up on the farm with his 8 brothers and 2 sisters. He attended and graduated from Sauk Centre High School in 1958. After school Art continued to work on the family farm and served in the National Guard for 6 years. He married the love of his life, JoAnn Welle, on September 5, 1964 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Together they continued the life that Art grew up with and raised their family on the farm outside of Sauk Centre. Art shared his farming wisdom with his boys and helped them as they started farms of their own. Art enjoyed watching his kids & grandkids sports and cheering on the Minnesota gophers Mens Basketball. He also enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and casino trips. Faith was of upmost importance to Art and he is remembered for his dedication to serving his church and Lord and Savior.

Art was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church.

Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, JoAnn Middendorf of Sauk Centre; children, Judy (Shawn) Fridgen of Nelson, Diane (Brad) Gillingham of Minneota, Allan (Ann) Middendorf of Long Prairie, Joyce Knoblauch of Monticello, Donald (Carolyn) Middendorf of Long Prairie, Lori (Craig) Sunder of Sauk Centre, Randy (Nancy) Middendorf of Sauk Centre, and Jason (Karen Pohlad) Middendorf of Sauk Centre; 29 grandchildren and one great- grandchild; brothers and sisters, George (Marilyn) Middendorf of Sauk Centre, William Middendorf of Sauk Centre, Roy (Adeline) Middendorf of Sauk Centre, Joseph, Jr. (Luella) Middendorf of Middendorf, Victor (Florence) Middendorf of Melrose, Margaret Klassen of Sauk Centre, Betty (Ronald) Thieschafer of Melrose, and Jerry (Diane) Middendorf of Sauk Centre.

Art was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ralph Middendorf; sister-in-law, Edna Middendorf; and brother-in-law, John Klassen

Serving as casket bearers will be Michael Knoblauch, Patrick Knoblauch, David Hinnenkamp Jr., Nicholas Hinnenkamp, Ryan Middendorf, Mitchell Middendorf. Cross bearer will be Adam Sunder and scripture bearer will be Kristina Sunder. Servers will be Brandon, Grace, and Hannah Middendorf. Serving as gift bearers will be Molly, Kendra, and Samantha Middendorf. Readers will be Emily and Lizzy Gillingham and Rachel Middendorf. Serving as Eucharistic Minister will be Ruth Ann Zastrow.

Serving as honorary bearers will be Art & JoAnn's current and former neighbors, Jerry & Diane Middendorf, Ronnie & Kathy Kettler, Gene & MaryAnn Middendorf, Jerry & Bev VanHavermaet, Monica Ahrens, Mike & Doreen Merten, Tom & Kim Schneider, Dennis & Diane Muellner, David & Tammy Marthaler, Bob & Mary Douvier, Kevin & Marlene Gwost, LeRoy & Carol Dierkhising, and Vern Beckermann.