Virgil Duane Hernke, age 78, a lifelong resident of Leon Township, died on Friday morning, July 3, 2009 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.
Virgil was born at home in rural Cannon Falls on July 26, 1930, the son of Alvin and Ida (Esterby) Hernke. He started farming with his father, and in 1960, he incorporated with his father and brothers. Hernkes Inc. diversified in all areas of agriculture.
He married Arlene Egland in 1953, and they raised five children. They later divorced.
Virgil was an active lifelong member of Urland Lutheran Church. He worked hard, but also enjoyed the fun things in life; spending time with his family, working in his shop on machines or welding, motorcycles, snowmobiling, his Model A, and 4-wheeler. He enjoyed going for drives, playing cards and dice, and he loved animals!
He will be dearly missed by his five children, Linda (Les) Flom of Dennison, Jim (LaVaughn) Hernke of Cannon Falls, Tammy Rohr of Cannon Falls, Joe (Nicolette) Hernke of Belle Creek and Brad Hernke (friend, Lisa Burke) of Kent, WA; his special friend of over 15 years, Lucille Callstrom of Cannon Falls and her family; 13 grandchildren, Jeromy (Kim) Flom, Emily (John) Law, Peter “Bud” (Abbie) Flom, Brian Hernke (fiancé, Anicia Mendez), Adam (Barbie) Hernke, Holly (Vu) Rohr Tran, Samuel Rohr, Timothy Rohr, Cole Hernke (fiancé, Ann O’Reilly), Elizabeth Hernke, Paul Hernke, Zane and Joshua Hernke; 8 great-grandchildren, Jessica, Ashley, Jackson, Charly, Holden, Leslie, Harrison, and Zabe; sister, Mildred “Millie” (Ray) Ohnstad of Cannon Falls; brothers, Owen (Gladys) Hernke and Allen (Betty Ann), all of Cannon Falls; sisters-in-law, Jean Hernke of Cannon Falls, and Elaine Hernke of Farmington; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Marvin and Elroy Hernke.
Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 7 at 11:00 a.m. at Urland Lutheran Church, 6940 Co 9 Blvd, Cannon Falls, with Pastor Dean Lundgren officiating.
Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Monday from 4-8 p.m. at Lundberg Funeral Home, 5839 Hwy 19 Blvd, Cannon Falls. There will also be visitation at the church on Tuesday from 10-11 a.m.
Memorials are preferred to Urland Lutheran Church.
Active casketbearers will be grandsons, Jeromy, Bud, Brian, Adam, Samuel, Timothy, Cole and Paul. Honorary casketbearers will be the remaining grandchildren, Emily, Holly, Elizabeth, Zane, and Joshua.