John Poxleitner

John Poxleitner, 97, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, brother and friend passed peacefully to be with his wife Katharine and the Lord in the early morning on Friday, June 19, 2009 at the Albany Area Hospital.

John was born October 12, 1911 in Ferdinand, Idaho to Joseph and Anna (Kirsch) Poxleitner. The family settled in Minnesota when John was 16. He and his beloved wife Katharine were married September 14, 1943 in Avon and recently celebrated 65 years of marriage.John, the quintessential German-Minnesotan farmer, was a fixture in the farm community of Albany for over 80 years. A humble and compassionate man of impeccable integrity, his soul contained the sweet, fertile Minnesota soil and his love of his farm was exceeded only by that of his wife, his four daughters, his beloved twelve grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. A man of a wry but gentle wit, he was soft spoken and understated; often speaking more by what was not said than with what was said. John lived by the rule of "actions speak louder than words".Perhaps, after all, John's most endearing quality was his childlike love of life in its most simple elements; his love of a good go-cart ride, riding his 1955 Schwinn bicycle around the farm into his nineties, a homemade sling shot and a good chocolate bar.

John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Katharine Poxleitner (Schmitt) on October 25, 2008. Over the course of their time together, John and Katharine became as one person-one life. John, worked the land, cared for the livestock, and lovingly maintained his farm. Everything he owned was treated with the utmost care and he believed if it was once worth buying, it was worth saving. If you needed a part from a 1930's piece of farm equipment you would likely find it in his meticulously organized tool shop. He mentored many a young man as they worked side by side on the farm. All whom John touched were forever changed by his dignity and grace. Katharine worked beside him on the farm and kept the house, cared for the children and grandchildren, prepared the land's bounty. The only thing providing more joy to them than a quick fox-trot around the kitchen table to some "old time" music was family meal-time. In the later years it was apparent to all who knew him that nothing gave him quite as much joy as seeing and being with his grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by them, his daughters, his extended family and all who knew him, learned from him and were his friends. A good and pure soul has left us...and we are all better for having journeyed beside him.

Survivors include his daughters, Eileen Lahr of St. Cloud, Jean "Jeanie" Notsch of Avon, Darlene (Earl) Felling of Albany and Dee Lonn of Minneapolis. He is the grandfather of twelve, John and Jeffrey Lahr, Jonathan and Joel Notsch, Mark, Jim, Greg, Ben, and Priya Felling, Emily, Jack, and Gabi Lonn, and the great-grandfather of one, Ella Felling. He is also survived by his sister, Gertie Cremers of St. Anthony.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Anna Poxleitner; wife, Katharine (Schmitt) Poxleitner on October 25, 2008; brothers, Ray, Joe, Benno, and Frank; sisters, Ceil Schwinghammer, Theresa Forster, Mary Schiffler, and Rita Groetsch.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday, June 25 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in St. Anthony (rural Albany). Entombment will be at Seven Dolors Cemetery in Albany following the lunch.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Seven Dolors gathering area in Albany and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Anthony Catholic Church in St. Anthony (rural Albany). Parish prayers will be at 4:30 p.m. followed by the St. Anthony Holy Name Society at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday evening.

Serving as casket bearers will be Mark, Jim, Greg, Ben, and Priya Felling, Emily Lonn, Jonathan, and Joel Notsch. Cross bearer will be Gabi Lonn and scripture bearer will be Jack Lonn.