August Katzke

August "Gus" Katzke, age 81, of Delavan , died Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at United Hospital, Blue Earth. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2012, at 10:30 AM, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Blue Earth, with Rev. Wesley Hafner, officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Blue Earth. Visitation time will be from 4:00 to7:00 PM Friday, January 20, 2012 at Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 400 E. 14th Street, in Blue Earth and one hour prior to services at the church. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.comGus was born February 3, 1930, at New Salem, North Dakota, the son of Henry and Anna (Rothschiller) Katzke.He was raised and educated in Mandan, ND where he graduated from Mandan High School in 1948 and Bismark Junior College in 1950. He attended North Dakota State University and was activated into the ND National Guard where he was with the 188 Field Artillery Battery, 47 Infantry Division of the Army. Following his discharge in 1952, as Master Seargent, he returned to college and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1954. He was married to Carola Thornberg and the couple had 4 daughters and a son. Gus worked at Honeywell in Freeport, Illinois, Toro Manufacturing in Windom, Burns Manufacturing in Crosby, Josten''s and Owatonna Manufacturing in Owatonna and with Tafco Manufacturing in Blue Earth for 20 years before his retirement in 1992. Following the death of his first wife, Gus was married to Ellen (Schneider) Prigge on July 7, 1984 I Windom. Gus was active in community projects. He was president of the Blue Earth Lions Club, board member of the MVAC, South Central Mutual Ins. Co. and Faribault County Economic Development. He also served as an elder at St. Paul Lutheran Church and was a longtime member of the Blue Earth American Legion Post 89. He had happy retirement years raising sheep on his Rice Creek farm.Gus is survived by his wife, Ellen Katzke of Delavan, his daughters: Evie Katzke of Jackson, Wyoming, Mary Katzke of Anchorage, Alaska, Pat Haugen of Mankato, Sharon Katzke of Boise, Idaho, his son, Dave (Susan) Katzke of Lino Lakes, his step-daughter, Holly Brodt of Ely, his step-son, Craig Prigge of Frenchtown, New Jersey, his sister, Kathryn, 3 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.He was preceded in death by his parents, twin infant brothers & 2 sisters, 1 grandson and an infant son.