Reinhold Rudolph Walter Carl Firchau

Reinhold Rudolph Walter Carl Firchau was born on January 12, 1918 in South Branch Township, Watonwan County, MN to Albert and Carolina (Krause) Firchau. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, South Branch, MN. Reinhold attended parochial school at St. John's Lutheran School, South Branch. He served in the US Army from 1941-1945 in the South Pacific as a Corporal. On November 20, 1944 Reinhold was united in marriage to Dorothy Williams at St. John's Lutheran Parsonage, South Branch. Reinie worked in construction as a heavy equipment operator and a crane operator. He owned a drayline business with his brother, Maynard for 5 years. He also worked for Otto Neuenfeldt's blacksmith shop and Borkenhagen Brothers. Reinie enjoyed woodworking, puzzles, playing cards, gardening, traveling and drinking brandy. He always had a smile, a joke and a "howdy-do-doody-do? for everyone. Reinie was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Lewisville; a lifetime member of the Lewisville American Legion Post 561 and the drill squad; and the St. James VFW. He was retired from the Lewisville Fire Department and recently had a tree dedicated to him at the new fire hall. Reinhold died on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at the Madelia Community Hospital. Reinhold is survived by his wife of 69 years, Dorothy Firchau, Madelia, MN; children, Judy Goor, Coon Rapids, MN, Dennis (Dee) Firchau, Lewisville, MN, Mary (Richard) Krenz, DeSmet, SD, Jerry (Nancy) Firchau, Denton, TX, Jean (Jeffrey) Hoppe, Truman, MN; 12 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 2 great, great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Albert, Ervin and Maynard; sisters, Johanna, Agnes, Hildegard, Selma, Regina and Irma; one daughter, Joan and one son-in-law, Howard Goor.