1927
Andrew
2015
Andrew Papke
May 19, 1927 — February 27, 2015
Funeral services for Andrew Papke of Morris will be held Friday, March 6, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Morris. Pastoral Intern Chris Richards and Reverend Donald Berheim will be officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and for one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Burial will be at a later date in Summit Cemetery in Morris.
Andrew John Papke was born in Waseca, MN just before the Great Depression, May 19, 1927. His early childhood was shaped by the struggles common to many of those who lived through such times. From those years he learned the true value of family, faith in God, and good work that he honored until his death in Morris, MN at age 87 on February 27th, 2015.
Andy served during World War II as a seaman in the US Navy, receiving an honorable discharge in June 1946, less than a month after his 19th birthday.
Before entering the Navy and upon his return to Waseca, Andy "Hambone" excelled in his passion of athletic competition. A shy young man, Andy nonetheless established himself as a powerhouse excelling in basketball and football, leading teams to state level tournaments. While averaging 40 yards a punt, on one cool autumn evening "Hambone" astonished the crowd, players and himself booming the pig-skin an official 75 yards from the line of scrimmage. True to his spirit, Andy always ended that story saying, "The wind was to my back."
Andy attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter MN. There he developed a second passion that was to shape his life: teaching. Andy graduated in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in history and PE/health. Turning down an opportunity to try out for professional basketball, he began his teaching career in Alden MN in 1951. That fall he found the deepest love of his life. On May 19, 1952 he and Dolores Thordson were married in Hanska, MN.
As a teacher of 38 years Andy continued his athletic career through coaching basketball for 17 years and football for 26 years. Meeting the challenges of teaching modern civics, Andy encouraged his students to develop "critical thinking" by using real world examples from the politics of the 60s, 70s and 80s. By his retirement in 1986 Andy framed his teaching career in his usual understated way: "I'm privileged to have taught as long as I have and have gotten great satisfaction from it."
As a husband and father, Andy was a committed and gentle man. Andy and Dolores inspired us to love others as deeply as they loved one another and their six children.This commitment to family is at the heart of their move to the Morris area in 1964 as it provided strong educational opportunities for their children, especially the DAC. They embraced their grandchildren with the same love through their support, presence and open welcome to the Cabin Up North. Andy combined his love for his grandchildren and his enjoyment of sports by attending many of their games and meets.
As a follower of Jesus, Andy's quiet and living faith in his Lord served him well throughout his life. The promise of God's love for us beyond the grave was especially important to him in these last years after the deaths of his beloved Dolores and his oldest daughter, Linda. Andy was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Waseca, MN and a member of First Lutheran Church in Morris.
Andy is survived by four sons: Mark (Linnea) Papke-Larson of Bemidji, MN, David Papke of Litchfield, MN, John Papke of Morris, MN and James (Joann) Papke of Clearbrook, MN; one daughter: Mary (Dan) Holman of Bloomington, MN; one son-in-law: Tim Kampmeier of Chokio, MN; fourteen grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife: Dolores (Thordson) Papke; his parents: Arthur (Mary) Papke; one daughter: Linda (Papke) Kampmeier; one grandson: Matthew Millerbernd; 3 sisters and brothers-in-law: Dorothy (Ray) Burchardt, Violate (Richard) Brase and Josephine (Leonard) Guse.
Memorials preferred to the Stevens County Developmental Achievement Center (DAC), 203 Green River Road, Morris, MN 56267.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
Andrew John Papke was born in Waseca, MN just before the Great Depression, May 19, 1927. His early childhood was shaped by the struggles common to many of those who lived through such times. From those years he learned the true value of family, faith in God, and good work that he honored until his death in Morris, MN at age 87 on February 27th, 2015.
Andy served during World War II as a seaman in the US Navy, receiving an honorable discharge in June 1946, less than a month after his 19th birthday.
Before entering the Navy and upon his return to Waseca, Andy "Hambone" excelled in his passion of athletic competition. A shy young man, Andy nonetheless established himself as a powerhouse excelling in basketball and football, leading teams to state level tournaments. While averaging 40 yards a punt, on one cool autumn evening "Hambone" astonished the crowd, players and himself booming the pig-skin an official 75 yards from the line of scrimmage. True to his spirit, Andy always ended that story saying, "The wind was to my back."
Andy attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter MN. There he developed a second passion that was to shape his life: teaching. Andy graduated in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in history and PE/health. Turning down an opportunity to try out for professional basketball, he began his teaching career in Alden MN in 1951. That fall he found the deepest love of his life. On May 19, 1952 he and Dolores Thordson were married in Hanska, MN.
As a teacher of 38 years Andy continued his athletic career through coaching basketball for 17 years and football for 26 years. Meeting the challenges of teaching modern civics, Andy encouraged his students to develop "critical thinking" by using real world examples from the politics of the 60s, 70s and 80s. By his retirement in 1986 Andy framed his teaching career in his usual understated way: "I'm privileged to have taught as long as I have and have gotten great satisfaction from it."
As a husband and father, Andy was a committed and gentle man. Andy and Dolores inspired us to love others as deeply as they loved one another and their six children.This commitment to family is at the heart of their move to the Morris area in 1964 as it provided strong educational opportunities for their children, especially the DAC. They embraced their grandchildren with the same love through their support, presence and open welcome to the Cabin Up North. Andy combined his love for his grandchildren and his enjoyment of sports by attending many of their games and meets.
As a follower of Jesus, Andy's quiet and living faith in his Lord served him well throughout his life. The promise of God's love for us beyond the grave was especially important to him in these last years after the deaths of his beloved Dolores and his oldest daughter, Linda. Andy was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Waseca, MN and a member of First Lutheran Church in Morris.
Andy is survived by four sons: Mark (Linnea) Papke-Larson of Bemidji, MN, David Papke of Litchfield, MN, John Papke of Morris, MN and James (Joann) Papke of Clearbrook, MN; one daughter: Mary (Dan) Holman of Bloomington, MN; one son-in-law: Tim Kampmeier of Chokio, MN; fourteen grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife: Dolores (Thordson) Papke; his parents: Arthur (Mary) Papke; one daughter: Linda (Papke) Kampmeier; one grandson: Matthew Millerbernd; 3 sisters and brothers-in-law: Dorothy (Ray) Burchardt, Violate (Richard) Brase and Josephine (Leonard) Guse.
Memorials preferred to the Stevens County Developmental Achievement Center (DAC), 203 Green River Road, Morris, MN 56267.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
Tribute Video
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Andrew Papke, please visit our flower store.