Edwin Richard Maschoff

Edwin was born on June 8, 1906 on a farm near Hoyleton, Illinois to Henry F. and Wilhelmina (Redeker) Maschoff. He attended school at Trinity Lutheran School in Hoyleton until 6th grade and then 2 yrs at the Sassafras Township School where he learned to speak English. In 1924, at the age of 17, he came to Minnesota and worked for his brothers Arthur and Paul in the Wilbert, MN area for several years. He also worked on a team of threshers in North Dakota and as a hand corn picker for farmers in the Chicago area. He returned to Illinois during the winters until he met his future wife, Milda Thiesse, whom he married on January 22, 1933. They farmed in the Welcome area until purchasing a farm near Northrop, MN in 1948 where they lived until the present. Edwin took great pride in his farming, worked hard, liked straight corn rows and eliminating weeds such as cockleburs and thistles, and daily gave thanks for the fertile soil, ample rain, and wonderful sunshine. To him, everyday was a gift from God. The hay could be down and ready to be baled, but if it rained, he'd say "I like it when it rains.? Edwin is survived by four children: Marlo Maschoff and his wife, Lorna of Stewartville, MN; Eldean Maschoff of Bancroft, Iowa; Glenys Butler and her husband Michael of Elko, MN, and Linda Becker and her husband, Larry, of rural Fairmont, MN. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Pamela, Michael (Dee), Tim, & Mara Maschoff; Gloria McNea; Lisa (Brian) Escherich; Leslie (Jeff) Crissinger, Lonny (Lynn K) and Lynn J (Julie) Becker; Leah (Rob) Wilkinson. Ed also has 24 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Additional survivors include sister Elda (Adolph) Rebstock of Centralia, Ill; sisters-in-law Selma Maschoff of Nashville, Ill, Elda Leiding and Shirley Thiesse of Fairmont, MN, Arlys (Kenneth) Malo, & Helen (Ernest) Milow ; brothers?in- law Roland, Harlan (Norma), and Leo (Charlotte) Thiesse as well as many nieces and nephews whom he loved. He was preceded in death by his wife Milda on September 17, 2000 and sons Loren and Leland; his parents, brothers Arthur, Paul, John, & Henry; sister Charlotte (Edwin) Twenhafel; brothers-in-law Edwin Twenhafel, Arthur, Melvin, and Velmer Thiesse; sisters-in-law Lydia (Weihe) Maschoff, Ella (Milow) Maschoff, Katherine (Marker) Maschoff, Betty (Chesley) Thiesse and Esther (Schultze) Thiesse. For 30 years Edwin rang the church bell at Zion Lutheran Church in Fraser Township, serving as head usher and also serving in many church offices. His Christian faith was exemplified in all aspects of his life. If today wasn't perfect, tomorrow would be better. He was a devoted and loving husband and father. He enjoyed the simple things in life?such as Elm Creek on his second farm and observing the beavers, straightening old crooked nails, mules (the "best? work horses according to him), Norman Rockwell art, playing with goofy little toys with his grandkids, gardening (using creative means to control pests), practical jokes (e.g. pumpkin seeds in mom's houseplants), raising pigs, sheep, chickens and guineas. He loved hearing roosters crow and morning doves coo?making jelly and three kinds of homemade soup. After retiring from farming and sow farrowing in the 1970's, he took up his second career, raising and lambing close to 100 ewes each year until he was 93 and had heart surgery. However, he continued to garden and raise his chickens. In late life he discovered the joys of making pies where his first and only entries at the Martin County Fair earned him grand and reserve grand champion ribbons. (He also got blue ribbons for his tomatoes, sunflowers, etc, but declined to enter the next year because "I've had my fun?). His pies became a favorite at Martin Luther High School fundraisers and one of his pies was even given to Garrison Keillor as a thank-you gift. Those who knew Edwin loved, admired and respected him. He taught us how to live with dignity and as