John Westerhaus

John H. "Hank" Westerhaus, age 82 of Melrose, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 11 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating and Rev. Vince Lieser concelebrating. Inurnment will be held at the Minnesota State Veteran Cemetery in Little Falls at a later date.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove. St. Bernard's Society will pray at 6 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at the church.

John Henry Westerhaus was born June 26, 1935 in Melrose, Minnesota to Henry and Mary (Fischer) Westerhaus. He graduated from Melrose High School and served in the U.S. Army for two years. Hank was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany for 18 months, working in the post office. After being honorably discharged, he attended St. Cloud Business College for two years. He was united in marriage to Jeanette Braun on May 9, 1964 at St. Leo Catholic Church in St. Leo. Hank purchased the Spur Gas Station from his dad in 1961 and operated that until his retirement in 1991.

Hank was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose, Service Station Dealers of America, Melrose Chamber of Commerce, and St. Bernard's Society. He enjoyed playing cards, especially Skat, dancing, biking and fishing at his brother's island on Rainy Lake in Canada, and loved spending time with his family and friends. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and his outgoing personality.

Survivors include his wife, Jeanette Westerhaus of Melrose; children, Dean (Tammy) Westerhaus of Shoreview, LeeAnn Westerhaus of Alexandria, Lynn (Clayton) Jurrens of Otsego, Daniel (Kari) Westerhaus of Hugo, and Jason Westerhaus of St. Cloud; eight grandchildren, Cassie and Austin Westerhaus, Stephanie, Shayna and Chet Jurrens, and Alyson, Lauren, and Faith Westerhaus; brothers, Andrew (Mary) Westerhaus and Aloysius (Ardath) Westerhaus; and many nieces and nephews.

Hank was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joseph Westerhaus; and sister-in-law, Joanne Westerhaus.

Serving as urn bearer will be Austin Westerhaus. Cross bearer will be Jonathon Westerhaus and scripture bearer will be David Westerhaus. Honorary bearers will be Don Bartels, Dick Thull, Don Messer, Bob Klassen, Ken Ebnet, Dave Wander, Bud Ostendorf, Ralph Wessel, Bill Hinnenkamp, Don Schlichting, Wayne Bushman, Joe Beckermann, John Silbernagel, Edward Bussmann, Hank Middendorf, and John Middendorf.