Virgil Mammen

Virgil L. Mammen, 98, of Redwood Falls died Sunday, June 26, 2016 at Golden Living Center in Olivia. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 1, 2016 from St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls with burial to follow in the Redwood Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 9 until 11 a.m.

The family prefers memorials be directed to Friends of the Park, P.O. Box 439, Redwood Falls, Minn. 56283.

Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Redwood Falls. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelson-hillestad.com .

Virgil Leroy Mammen, the son of Otto J. and Anna H. (Remmers) Mammen, was born May 31, 1918 in Mt. Pleasant Township, Whiteside County, Illinois. The family moved to Minnesota in 1927 and settled in Vail Township, near Wabasso. Virgil received his elementary education in nearby country school and attended Wabasso High School. Following his schooling, Virgil farmed with his family.

On November 25, 1942 Virgil married Mary Sexton at the Lee Winter home in Redwood Falls. For the first years after their marriage, together they farmed in Redwood Township before moving near Wabasso and farming in Vail Township. In 1947 they returned to Paxton Township and continued their farming operations. They retired from farming in 1981 and moved into Redwood Falls. Following retirement, Virgil worked as a crop adjustor for Federal Crop Insurance and National Ag Underwriters. He was a long-time member of Zion Lutheran Church in Morton and recently became a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls.

Virgil was very active in his community, serving on the Zion Lutheran Church Board for 12 years, and the Morton School Board for nine years, with two years as chairman. He also served on the Area Vocational Board for three years. Virgil served on the Redwood County Agricultural Society board for 12 years and was clerk of the Paxton Town Board for six years. He also spent 30 years on the Paxton Gilfillan Memorial Board. Virgil and Mary traveled to Texas, Florida, Hawaii, and Arizona for several winters. They eventually settled on wintering in Arizona where they spent 20 years enjoying making new friends, outdoor activities and sightseeing. They also traveled to Europe in 1997 with the Concord Singers Tour. Virgil also enjoyed playing golf and fishing.

He is survived by his sons Jim (Amy) Mammen of Roseville, and Lee (Jeanne) Mammen of Worthington; grandchildren Anne Mammen, Jane Mammen, and Charles (Kelly) Mammen, and Jon (Sasha) Mammen, Jacquelyn Mammen, Erin (Jonathan) Kirchoff, Nicole (Jacob) Braegelmann, Jennifer Mammen, and Thomas Mammen; and great-grandchildren Carson and Nolan Mammen, Lauren and Grace Kirchoff, and Toren Braegelmann. Also surviving are his sister Lois Willshire of St. Paul and formerly of Redwood Falls; sisters-in-law June (Gerald) Schaffran of Lucan, and Betty Anderson of Glenwood City, Wisconsin; and many nieces and nephews.

Virgil was preceded in death by his wife Mary in February 2009; and his siblings Merle, Ronald, and Virginia Mammen.

Blessed be his memory.