Herbert Douvier

Herbert H. Douvier, age 91 of Sauk Centre, died Monday, August 18, 2008 at St. Michael's Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 21 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Todd Schneider officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard with interment following in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 8 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be at 5:15 p.m. followed by United Veterans prayer service at 7 p.m. and St. Paul's Catholic Aid at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Herb Douvier was born April 4, 1917 in Holdingford, Minnesota to Louis and Ann (Wolbeck) Douvier. On September 15, 1941 he married Regina Tschida at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa. In 1942, as a proud American he became part of the "Greatest Generation" by serving his country during World War II. His service took him to North Africa, Sardinia, Italy, France, Germany, and Austria. A decorated veteran he fought in many battles including the "Battle of the Bulge". He was discharged from the U.S. Army in 1945. He was employed for 13 years by Swift and Company in Sauk Centre until 1958, then by Cold Spring Granite for 12 years, and then as a janitor for Sauk Centre Public Schools until retiring in 1985.He was a member St. Paul's Catholic Church, St. Paul's Catholic Aid, Paul F. Donart VFW Post 2853, and American Legion Post 67.

Survivors include three daughters, Darlene (Eddie) Bussmann of Melrose, Shirley (Larry) Ostendorf of Maple Grove, and Linda (Jim) Johnson of Lindstrom; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Louise (Raymond) Euteneuer of St. Cloud, Rose Kapsner of Holdingford, and Eleanor (Dan) Pilarski of Clitherall.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Regina Douvier on November 13, 1998; grandson, Jeffrey Bussmann; brothers, Frank, Edmund, Clemens, and Roman Douvier; sisters, Frances Lange and Hildegard Waldorf.

Serving as casket bearers will be his grandsons, Mark, Scott, Brian, and Todd Bussmann, Shawn Ostendorf, and Chad Johnson. Cross bearer will be Bob Douvier and gift bearers will be Sandy Bussmann, Tammy Ostendorf, and Tanya Swanson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Fr. Ted Niehaus and St. Michael's Hospice.