Frederick Korte

Frederick J. "Fred" Korte, age 87 of Sauk Centre passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 30, 2016 at CentraCare Health Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 7th at the Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Father Greg Paffel presiding. Interment with military honors by Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard will take place at St. Paul's Cemetery in Sauk Centre.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 6th at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 7th at the funeral home prior to the service at the church. Parish prayers will be said at 5 p.m. on Thursday evening followed by United Veterans Prayer Service at 7 p.m. on Thursday evening.

Frederick Joseph Korte was born June 22, 1929 in Saint Rosa, Minnesota, the youngest of twelve children of Herman and Rose (Wehseler) Korte. Following his schooling, Fred joined the US Air Force and served his country for four years. On September 25, 1952, Fred was united in marriage to Bernadette J. Middendorf in Saint Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. In 1956, Fred re-enlisted in the US Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1960. In 1962, Fred became a Minnesota State Patrol and worked for the State of Minnesota for 25 years, retiring in 1987. After his retirement he enjoyed spending much of his time doing the things he loved - flying his airplanes from the Sauk Centre Airport, riding his motorcycle and scooters throughout the countryside and Minnesota, and driving many cars that interested him. Spending time with his wife, Bernie and their son's family brought him great joy.

Fred was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, American Legion Post 67, and the Minnesota Retired Peace Officers Association (M.R.P.O.A.).

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Bernadette "Bernie" Korte; son and daughter-in-law, James and Carol Korte of Saint Cloud; granddaughters, Lori Korte, Debbie (Mitch) Wellman, and Lisa (Jeff) Bullert; five great grandchildren, Alexis and Cassie, Samantha, Lucas and Jameson; and sister, Sister Rose Mary Korte, OSB of Rapid City, South Dakota.

Fred was preceded in death by sisters, Eleanor Van Heel, Sister Mary Ernest, OSB, Bernadette Ruckmar, Julette Korte, Marcella Michels, Olivia Huewe, Dorothy Ferrian, and Delorse Korte; and brothers, Ernest Korte and Ray Korte. He was also preceded in death by half-brothers and half-sisters, Regine Schmidt, Anna Butkowski, Teckla Arnzen, Harry Korte, Bernard Korte, Hubert Korte, and George Korte.

Serving as casket bearers will be Mitch Wellman, Rick Laudenbach, Jeff Bullert, Joel Middendorf, Ken Korte, and Tom Jacobs. His great granddaughters, Cassie and Alexis Wellman will serve as cross bearer and scripture bearer. Debbie Wellman, granddaughter, will read scriptures for the Mass.