Walbert Meinke

 Walbert G. Meinke, 91, of Webster,  died on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, at the Northfield Hospital Long Term Care Center in Northfield. He was born on March 24, 1921, in Webster Township, Rice County, a son of William H. and Paulina (Sprain) Meinke. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII (1942-43) with the Anti-Aircraft Coastal Artillery as a Tech Sergeant. Walbert married Nordis J. Docken on November 17, 1944, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lakeville. Walbert worked at the Webster Creamery from 1943-1951. He and Nordis moved to his family's farm, which has been in the family since 1856, in 1951. He was the fourth generation to farm the land. He was proud of the calf barn he designed which was featured in "The Farmer" magazine, and was visited by farmers from the Midwest, Germany, Switzerland and Norway. Walbert served 18 years as chairman of the board for Webster Co-op Agri-Services, 37 years as a Patz Equipment dealer, and chairman and secretary of St. John's Lutheran Church, Webster, where he was a lifelong member. He loved to play cards with family, especially his grandchildren, and enjoyed fishing, watching wrestling and Twins baseball. Walbert made many pom-pom wall hangings for family members, friends, St. John's Church, Patz Equipment, Moews Seeds and others. He learned the craft at age six from his aunt, who taught him to keep him safe from the Model T's and runaway horses on the main street of Webster. He is survived by a son Robert (Stephanie) Meinke, Bloomington; two grandchildren Matthew (Molly) Meinke, Apple Valley, and Katie Meinke, Bloomington. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife on October 21, 2007; siblings Edgar, Waldemar, Natalia and Olinda; brothers-in-law Jerome Docken and Richard Meinke; nieces Shirley Bosshardt, Sandra Meinke and Kathleen Splittstoesser; and a nephew Edgar Meinke Jr. Funeral services were held at St. John's Lutheran Church, Webster, on Saturday, Sept. 22, at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Brent Klein officiating. Interment was at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Webster. Visitation was held at the Boldt Funeral Home in Faribault on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., and also at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to the service.