Helmuth "Hank" Luehmann

Helmuth "Hank" Heinrich Luehmann was born to Hermann and Bette (Reyelts) Luehmann on May 10, 1933 in Wingts, Germany where he was raised and attended school. When he was 16 years, he immigrated to the United States. He was sponsored by his cousin, Claus Reyelts from Wilmont, South Dakota. In return, Hank worked for Claus on his farm. A year later, he moved to Luverne, Minnesota to work on Claus' sister's farm. On January 10, 1951, he entered the United States Army and served for two years at the Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. Following his discharge from the service, he returned to farming by Luverne. While living there, he met Alice Holling from Hardwick, Minnesota. They were married on March 21, 1954. After their marriage, Hank started farming on his own. Two years later, he moved to Jasper, Minnesota and bought the Jasper Blacksmith Shop. A few years later, he sold this business and became employed as the head of the maintenance department for the City of Jasper. In 1977, he married Joanne Brouillet. After their marriage, they lived in Jasper and Hank continued to work for the City of Jasper for 25 years until his retirement. A short time later, he decided to go back to work and began working for the Jasper Sunrise Village as their maintenance person. Joanne preceded him in death on May 17, 2014. In 2015, he became a resident of the Jasper Sunrise Village.  In April of 2018 he entered the care of the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Luverne where he resided until passing away peacefully there on Sunday, May 14, 2023 at the age of 90.

Hank was raised in the Lutheran Church. For 25 years, he volunteered for the Jasper Fire Department. He also served on the city council for several years. He loved woodworking and enjoyed spending time making wooden lawn ornaments including wishing wells and windmills. He and his wife made and painted many wooden birds. He enjoyed working on his computer and he kept in touch with his family through email.

He is lovingly remembered by three sons, Henry Luehmann of Luverne, MN, Peter Luehmann of Jasper, MN, and Michael (Mary) Otkin of Colman, SD; grandchildren, Joseph (Miriam) Oye of Tea, SD, Christina Kling of Barnesville, MN, Ricky Oye of Aurora, SD, Joshua (Stacy) Otkin of Harrisburg, SD, and Jeremy (Amber) Otkin of Pipestone, MN; great-grandchildren, Corey and Brandon Kling, Daniel, Matthew and Summer Oye, Landen, Kaitlynn, Treyten, Braeden, Shaelynn, Easten, Audyn and Dempsey Otkin;  one brother, Ewald Luehman of Germany; one sister, Gertrude Luehmann of Germany; one son-in-law, Ron Oye of Aurora, SD; and one sister-in-law, Margaret Luehman of Bloomington, MN. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joanne; wife, Alice; two sons, David and Ronald; daughter, Cynthia Oye; his parents; and one brother, Gerhardt Luehmann.