Donald "Pete" Mindrup

Pete Mindrup, life-long resident of Harris, died Friday (10/18/13) at the University of Minnesota Hospital-Fairview at the age of 75. Pete was born to William and Miona (Peterson) Mindrup on September 23, 1938 in the “little house in the woods” as a twin, weighing just 3 pounds! Pete overcame the odds, was nurtured in a shoe box on the oven door of the wood stove and began his “survivor” style. Pete was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church of Harris where he was a lifelong member. As a young boy, Pete played “peek-a-boo” and when in town, people mistakenly took his nickname “Peek” for Pete which became his name ever after! Throughout his youth, he was a prankster with a great sense of humor. After attending school in Harris and North Branch, Pete worked on the family farm and various local ones. In 1959, Pete was hired for his strong work ethic at the Axel H. Ohman Construction company as a laborer mixing cement for the construction of many of the huge brick buildings that still exist today all over the Twin Cities. In 1961 he married Linda Watson and together they had daughters Tamara and Desiree. In 1963, he began laying up the blocks for construction of the basement of a brand new home for his family. Here he lived all his remaining years until his health required him to move to Ecumen in North Branch the last two years of his life. In 1969, he took a job with the State of Minnesota where he worked for 31 years. During the summer he worked hard on the bridge maintenance crew and during the winter he had many cold mornings and long nights plowing snow on I-35 or Highway 95. During the last few working years, he operated the Stillwater Lift Bridge, which he greatly enjoyed. As a side-job and community service, Pete dug graves and was the Oak Grove Cemetery sexton for many years. Pete served the community as an active member of the Harris Volunteer Fire Department, for over 30 years, the Harris Lions Club, the church council and the city council of Harris. Among many hobbies, he could be found playing in a horseshoe tournament or fishing many lakes around Harris, whether in his boat or the ice house! Pete also went on many fishing trips to Canada and to the Reichkitzer cabin during the summer. Any friend could stop by the corner bar or his home to enjoy a beer, shake a game of dice and hear one of his many tall tales or enjoy his jokes. Pete was a “one pot wonder”—cooking his favorite soup, chili, goulash or pot roast dinner. Gardening was a summer-time passion; he froze the produce and made sauerkraut. Fall was the time to stock the freezer with farm grown beef, pork and his homemade Swedish sausage. In 2011, again in true “survivor” style, Pete beat an intensive illness, during which he told us of his visit to heaven where his angel showed him around. During the last several years, he has been ready to “meet his maker” any time he was called because he has seen the beauty of heaven and was certain of Jesus’ love. He’s there now preparing for the time when you join him! Pete was a friend to all he met and will be greatly missed. Pete is preceded in death by his parents William R. & Miona (Peterson) Mindrup; brothers: William O. Mindrup and twin brother Ronald Mindrup; sister JoNan Mindrup and niece Jeanette Krueger. He is survived by daughters: Tamara (Ken) Reichkitzer of Battle Creek, Michigan, Desiree Davis of Shoreview, Minnesota; grandchildren: Nathan and Nolan Reichkitzer of Battle Creek, Michigan, Joshua and Kathryn Davis of Isanti, Minnesota; siblings: Elizabeth “Betty” Mindrup of Boyceville, Wisconsin, Gary (Sally) Mindrup of Waltham, Minnesota, Barbara (Merle) Himle of Brook Park, Minnesota; sister-in-law Phyllis Mindrup of Rush City, Minnesota, three nieces, five nephews and many friends. A funeral service for Pete will be held 2:00 p.m. on Saturday (10/26/13) at First Lutheran Church of Harris. Visitation will be held on Friday evening from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. also at First Lutheran Church of Harris and one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery of Harris. Casket Bearers will include: Nathan Reichkitzer, Nolan Reichkitzer, Joshua Davis, Clinton Krueger, Brent Mindrup, Darin Mindrup, Jason Mindrup and Garrett Mindrup. Honorary Casket Bearers are: Ed Zellmer, Jack Walker, Neal Sederberg, Ken Reichkitzer, Dean Ramberg, Cliff Ramberg, Jim Phillippe, Howard (Killebrew) Hanson, Wayne Gibson and Dale Buisman. Memorials are preferred to: First Lutheran Church of Harris and the Harris Fire Department Funeral arrangements for Mr. Donald “Pete” Mindrup are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service – Olson Chapel of Rush City.