Hans W. Schmahl

Hans William Schmahl was born March 16, 1921 to Wilhelm and Anna (Hamer) Schmahl in Verdi Township, Lincoln County, Minnesota. He was baptized at home on November 27, 1921, and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church of Verdi in 1935. He attended elementary school at District 63 in Verdi Township, Lincoln County for four years, and the final four years at District 17 in Drammen Township, Lincoln County, graduating from the 8th grade in 1935. His mother Anna passed away in 1933 and his father passed away in 1936, after which Hans and his sisters, Emma and Wilma, farmed the home place for two years. In 1938, Hans went to work for Robert Westphal for five years until 1943; then returned to farming for 14 years. He retired from farming and went to dirt construction for Williams Construction for six years and Streeter Construction for three years, then worked at Lake Benton Farmers Elevator for 15 years. In 1954, Hans married Jessie Rogers. They moved into Lake Benton, Minnesota in 1957. Their union was blessed with two children, Shirlene in 1955 and David in 1957, and 32 years of life together. Jessie passed away in 1986. On December 26, 1987 he married Marie (Hansen) Berg and they resided in Marshall, Minnesota, where he worked part-time for Ronald Doom and Bill Doom collectively for 20 years. Hans entered the care of Morningside Heights in Marshall on his 95th birthday, March 16, 2016 where he died on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at the age of 95 years.

Hans was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lake Benton. He enjoyed dart ball, softball, gardening, farming, woodworking, and most of all spending time with family.

Hans is lovingly remembered by his wife, Marie; his daughter, Shirlene (and Dan) Schwab of Marshall, Minnesota; two granddaughters, Stephanie (and Corry) Condon and Melissa Schwab; one great grandson, Caelen Condon; two step-great-grandchildren Caleb and Marissa Condon; three step-sons, Clark (and Peg) Berg, Peter (and Peg) Berg, and Paul (and Maureen) Berg; a step-daughter, Cheryl (and Mike) Witt; ten step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; nieces, Marion (and Lawrence) Bennett and Frieda Grayden; a nephew, Bill (and Deb) Monahan; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilhelm (1936) and Anna (1933) Schmahl; his first wife, Jessie (1986); his son, David (1978); sisters, Emma (Fred) Galbraith (2003), and Wilma (Walter) Monahan (2007); and nephews, Ray (1994) and Charles Galbraith (1989). Blessed be his memory.