Neal Robert Huemoeller

Neal Robert Huemoeller was born October 12, 1921 in Fairmont, Minnesota, the youngest of three sons of Fred and Alma (Kastning) Huemoeller. He was baptized and confirmed at St. James Lutheran Church in Northrop, Minnesota. The family lived in Northrop until moving to Truman, Minnesota in 1936. Neal graduated from Truman High School in 1940 and then attended Mankato State College in Mankato, Minnesota before enlisting in the United States Army in 1942. He was a lieutenant in Special Services and was stationed in England during World War II. After his Honorable Discharge in 1946, he returned to Truman. On November 29, 1946, Neal was united in marriage to Jane Eleanor Olson at the Church of Christ in Truman. The couple made their home in Minneapolis where Neal was enrolled at the University of Minnesota College of Mortuary Science. He was elected president of his class and graduated in 1948. Neal and Jane returned to Truman to work with Jane's father and mother, Edward and Bernice Olson in the furniture store and funeral home and in 1968 purchased the two businesses. Neal was an accomplished businessman and expanded the E. E. Olson Furniture Store to become one of the largest furniture stores in southern Minnesota. He was a caring, compassionate funeral director and under his leadership, the Olson Funeral Homes of Fairmont, Truman and Ceylon, Minnesota became renowned for exceptional personal service. In addition to owning and operating two companies, Neal was committed to serving his church and community. He was a devoted member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Truman where he chaired the building committee. He served on the Truman School Board of Education; President of the Lutheran Retirement Home; member of the Fairmont Community Hospital Foundation Board of Directors; Commander of the American Legion; and Lt. Governor of Kiwanis International. He also found time to be a scratch golfer at Interlaken Golf Club in Fairmont and the winner of several golf tournaments. In 1986, Neal and Jane retired and moved to their beloved lake place in Alexandria and joined Zion Lutheran Church and Alexandria Golf Club. They were blessed with numerous close friends, countless good times and many happy years together in retirement. Mr. Huemoeller died Wednesday, September 25, 2013, at Bethany Home in Alexandria, MN. Neal is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jane Huemoeller of Alexandria, MN; daughter, Helen Jane Hilgendorf and her husband, Gregory of Alexandria, MN; and son Neal R. Huemoeller, Jr. and his wife, Brenda, of Kasson, MN; five grandchildren, Allison Arndt and her husband, Nathan of St. Bonifacious, MN; Neal R. Huemoeller, III and his wife, Jen of Big Lake, MN; Jill Huemoeller of Mankato, MN; Kim Huemoeller and Kate Huemoeller both of Kasson, MN; and four great-grandchildren, Maxwell Arndt and Henry Arndt both of St. Bonifacious, MN, Ian Huemoeller and Isla Huemoeller, both of Big Lake, MN; and five nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers and their wives: Fritz and Arlene Huemoeller and Barney and Betty Huemoeller, sister-in-law: Lucille Olson and one nephew, James Huemoeller.