Sylvester Nietfeld

Sylvester A. "Sy" Nietfeld, age 92 of Meire Grove, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at the CentraCare Health Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 14 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Lake Henry American Legion Post 612.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 7 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

Sylvester was born on June 29, 1925 to John and Rose (Macke) Nietfeld in Spring Hill, Minnesota. He was the fifth youngest of 14 children. He was a graduate of Melrose High School and attended Morris Ag School. He served honorably in the US Navy. Upon discharge from the Navy he worked on area farms and had a truck route selling ice cream and beer. On this route, Sylvester met Ann Kuefler in Belgrade and was united in marriage on April 25, 1949 at St. Peter & Paul Church in Elrosa. Sylvester and Ann operated a dairy farm in Getty Township.

Sylvester was a member of St. John's Church in Meire Grove. He was active in farm organizations especially Farm Bureau, and Communicating for Agriculture receiving various recognition and awards including Farm Family Farm of the Year in 1992. He was an active member in the Lions Club, Catholic Aid, the Lake Henry American Legion Post 612, and various other organizations in the community. Sylvester enjoyed bowling, playing cards, snowmobiling, harvest time, was often sited at auctions and was known by the community as quite the conversationalist and storyteller. He most enjoyed gatherings, visiting with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Ann of 69 years; and children, Sandra, Richard (Michelle Olmschenk), Robert (Michell Johnson), David, William, Deborah (Kelly Lanier) Michael and Patrick (Suzy Rosenow); grandchildren, Joseph, James, Jon, Jaycob, Angela, Nicholas, Heidi, Anna, Sean, Ryan, and Benjamin; sister, Patricia Meyer; great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

His welcome home committee includes his parents; siblings, Henry, Al, Elmer, Margaret, Clara, John, Joseph, Roman, Bill, Catherine, Milton and Gladys; sons, Joseph and Timothy; and grandson, Eric.

A special thank you to CentraCare, Melrose for their compassionate care of Sylvester. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a contribution to your favorite charity or organization.

Serving as casket bearers will be Nick, Joseph, Jon, Jaycob, James, and Ben Nietfeld and Ryan Lanier. Cross bearer will be Angie Nietfeld and scripture bearer will be Heidi Nietfeld. Honorary bearers will be the Greenwald Lions Club and Lake Henry American Legion Post 612.