John Vanscharrel

JOHN VOLRATH VANSCHARREL was born on January 28, 1922 to Johann and Henrietta (Dringenberg) VanScharrel in Critzum, Germany and baptized on April 9, 1922. In 1929, he immigrated with his family to the United States where they stayed for a brief time with relatives in Argonne, South Dakota and purchased an old bank where they resided until moving to Minnesota. The family lived on and rented farms near Woodstock and Lake Wilson where John attended country school in Murray County District 56, graduating from the eighth grade on July 10, 1935. He was confirmed on June 14, 1936 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lake Wilson. Following his education, he helped his family on the farm they purchased northeast of Woodstock, Minnesota and worked as a farm hand for other farmers in the area.

On February 22, 1947, John was united in marriage with Mae Rosella Gramstad at First Lutheran Church, Pipestone. Their union was blessed with four children. John and Mae farmed for ten years on the family farm northeast of Woodstock. He began building houses on the farmyard and in 1957 they built a house and moved to Ruthton, Minnesota. During this time, John went into the building business full-time and Mae opened a beauty salon in their home. In 1962, they bought the lumber yard at Holland, Minnesota, which he operated until his retirement. In 1975, they moved to Pipestone. In 1977, John and Mae built a home in Florida where they spent their winters enjoying the company of friends, golfing, and going on many cruises. That year they also bought a home on Lake Shetek where they spent many happy times together and with family. John retired from the building business in 1986, having built more than 100 homes and many outbuildings in his years as a contractor. On November 11, 2009, Mae preceded him in death. John moved to Ridgeview Estates in Pipestone, Minnesota in 2012. On April 15, 2015, he was transferred to the Pipestone County Hospice House where he passed away on Friday, May 8, 2015 at the age of 93 years, three months, and 10 days.

John was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church, Pipestone. John was a lifelong church member in congregations in Ruthton and Pipestone, Minnesota as well as Lehigh Acres, Florida. While in Ruthton, he served on the church council and taught eighth grade Sunday School for many years. He also served as the Mayor, Chief of Police, and on the town council in Ruthton. He enjoyed traveling, spending time with family and friends, and woodworking. He was a letter writer and a story teller and, in his later years, he spent many hours writing his life story because as he said “I’ve had an interesting life”. His face was familiar at Lange’s Caf where he enjoyed spending time visiting with friends and acquaintances.

He is lovingly remembered by his four children, Joan (James) Powell of Lakeville, MN, Diana (Leon) Uilk of Pipestone, MN, Gerald of Graham, WA and Patricia of Lake Stevens, WA.; three grandchildren, Forrest McKennett, Jarrod (Heidi) Uilk, and Janelle (Scott) Hampton; seven great-grandchildren; three sisters, Wilma Friedlund of Bloomington, MN, Gerda Koopman of Litchfield, MN and Greta McDaniel of Pipestone, MN; and his dear friend, Doloris Pedersen of Pipestone, MN. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mae; his parents; one brother, George; one son-in-law, Rodger Dale McKennett; and other relatives.