Hugo Piepenburg

Hugo P. Piepenburg, age 84, of Litchfield, MN, died on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the Willmar Commons Nursing Home in Willmar, MN. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, November 14, 2008 at Beckville Lutheran Church, 20521 600th Avenue, Litchfield, MN with Pastor Marcia Hegna officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 7:00 PM on Thursday at Beckville Lutheran Church and will continue one hour prior to the memorial service. Inurnment will be in Beckville Lutheran Cemetery. Hugo Paul Piepenburg, one of six children of Paul and Hattie (Schramm) Piepenburg, was born in rural McLeod County near Hutchinson on September 11, 1924. Hugo was baptized on October 12, 1924, at Acoma Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, MN and was confirmed on July 3, 1938, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Litchfield, MN. He received his education at Litchfield High School, graduating in 1941 at the age of 16. In 1944, Hugo served in the United States Army and was a radio operator and Sergeant during the European Tour of Duty. He was honorably discharged in 1947. On September 28, 1948, Hugo married Phyllis Warren at First Lutheran Church in Grove City, MN. They were blessed with eight children. Hugo worked hard to support his family. Following his military discharge, he worked at Flaxmill and then as a farm hand. For 40 years, Hugo was both a crop and dairy farmer. He helped build Highway 22 while working road construction. Hugo also worked at First District Association for 20 years, retiring in 1988. Hugo was an active member of his community. He was a member of the Districts 34 & 45 school boards as well as being a member of the VFW, American Legion, and Teamsters Local Union 471. Being a member of the DFL, Hugo was interested in politics and current events. He loved hunting and thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors. He was blessed to spend 23 summers camping and fishing at the Alexandria Area Lakes with his family. He and Phyllis made lots of memories going on bus tours together. Music was an important part of Hugo’s life and he was a great harmonica player. Hugo was an active member of Beckville Lutheran Church where he was a past member of the church council and participated in the book club. In addition to the many interests Hugo had and shared with others, it was his roles as husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather that mattered to him most. Hugo is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Phyllis of Litchfield, MN; children Julie (and Robert) Plaetz of Lucan, MN, Jeffrey Piepenburg of Grove City, MN, Jay Piepenburg of Dassel, MN, Joel (and Julie) Piepenburg of Brooten, MN, Jayne Piepenburg of Rochester, MN, Vicki (and Mark) Fastner of Woodbury, MN, and Tracy (and Mardi) Piepenburg of Alexandria, MN; 10 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren. Hugo was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Joyce Piepenburg in April 2008; sisters Lena and Doris; and brothers Clarence, Lewis and Alvin. Arrangements by Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Litchfield, MN.