Alvin Elmer Hammerschmidt, age 92 of Wabasso, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 13, 2024 in the comforting presence of his family at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 18, 2024 at St. Anne Catholic Church in Wabasso. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church on Thursday. Interment will be in the St. Anne Catholic Cemetery rural Wabasso. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Alvin Elmer Hammerschmidt was born December 5, 1931, on the family farm in Vail Township, Redwood County, Minnesota to John and Agnes (Havel) Hammerschmidt. He was baptized on December 6, 1931 at St. Anne Catholic Church. He also received his First Communion and was confirmed in the Catholic faith. Alvin attended school in Wabasso and worked on the family farm. He entered the U.S. Army, where he served during the Korean War, working on generators. He received his honorable discharge after two years. Alvin met the love of his life, Lila Hurd, and they were united in marriage on September 13, 1955 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. They were blessed with three sons, Dennis, Jim, and Ron. Alvin was a proud 47-year member of the Wabasso American Legion. He worked for Trost Construction for 60 years with Cletus and Ralph. When he was not working in construction you could find Alvin on the farm. He enjoyed tinkering with projects or working on a piece of ag equipment. In his spare time, you could always find him on his golf cart, driving around checking the fields or seeing what was happening in the neighborhood. Alvin was constantly admiring and working in his three gardens. His favorite garden vegetable to grow was the potato. He enjoyed listening to “old time” polka music and watching Bandwagon on television. Alvin loved to dance with Lila or anyone who wanted to do a two-step dance. He was a lifelong, devoted Catholic parishioner at St. Anne and will be deeply missed.
Alvin is survived by his wife Lila of 68 years; sons: Jim (Judy) of Mankato and Ron (Lynn) of Sioux Falls, SD; daughter-in-law Anne of Montevideo; grandchildren: Ryan Hammerschimidt and Kelly (Travis) Rickert all of Montevideo; great grandson, Kyler Rickert of Montevideo; brother Leonard (Betty) of Redwood Falls; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, son Dennis, and sister Joan (Wayne) Wenholz.
