Adrian “Hunsy” Hemish, age 91, of Canby, MN, passed away Saturday, November 30, 2024 at his home in Canby. Funeral service will be 11:00 am Friday, December 6, 2024 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Canby. Burial will be in the Canby City Cemetery, Canby. Visitation will be 5 – 7 pm with a Prayer Service at 7 pm on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Canby. Visitation will resume Friday one hour prior to the service. Houseman Funeral Home, Birk Chapel in Canby is entrusted with the arrangements.
Adrian better known as Hunsy; a nickname given to him by his sister, was born August 14, 1933, to Joseph and Emma (Dushack) Hemish in Canby, Minnesota. He was raised on the family farm in Fortier township west of Canby, the youngest of seven siblings. The farm site had been built from scratch by his father who had immigrated as a boy from Bohemia. Hunsy attended rural school in Fortier Township and graduated from Canby High School in 1951. He farmed with his father after graduation. He served in the army from 1955 to 1957. He married Wanda Hanson on July 5, 1958, at the Florida Lutheran Church in rural Canby. Hunsy and Wanda were blessed with four children: Gregg, Wendy, Jeffrey, and Jason. Hunsy was active in high school athletics but only after his father’s signature was forged by his sister, Virg, on the permission form. This forgery allowed him to participate in several sports. He excelled on both the baseball and football fields and was the running back on the undefeated 1950 football team. He was inducted into the Canby Athletic Hall of fame in 2013. He played town-team baseball during the fifties and sixties for Hansonville and the Canby Comets. As a pitcher, he got a tryout with a scout representing the NY Yankees. As a farmer, Hunsy was a steward of the land. He introduced contour stripping practices to protect against soil erosion on the farm. He won a soil conservation award for his efforts on his part of the Buffalo Ridge. Hunsy and Wanda retired from farming and moved into Canby. Hunsy spent his retirement tinkering on the farm and when he could no longer drive the equipment his job became running for parts. Hunsy never lost his love of farming and volunteered to help Jeff this fall; “Just get me into the tractor and I can do it.” The church was important to Hunsy beginning with his baptism into the faith on the same day as his eldest son’s baptism at Florida Lutheran. He served as the custodian at Our Saviour’s and maintained the church cemeteries as well as being a long-time usher. His faith was strong. It brought him peace, especially during his last days. Hunsy’s happiest times were those spent with family and friends. He was not loud or boisterous, but rather a humble man with an easygoing demeanor and a warm smile. When the work was done, he was always ready for a visit, a cup of coffee, Bingo, or a good game of whist. He was an example of a life lived well. He will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his loving wife, Wanda of 66 years: his three children: Gregg (Linda) Hemish of Minnetrista, MN, Wendy (Bill) Krause of Tucson, AZ and Jeff (Sara) Hemish of Canby, MN. His grandchildren: Thane Hemish of Antalya Turkey, Andrew Hemish of Marshall MN, Trevor Hemish of Marshall MN; Evan (Karen) Krause of Canby MN, Erin (Luke) Velde of Granite Falls MN; Nikole Hemish of Maple Grove MN, Kaylie Hemish of Brookings SD, Makenzie Hemish of Brookings SD, Sydney Hemish of Brookings SD. He is survived by a great-grandchild, Kolt Krause, soon to be joined by Baby Velde and Baby Krause. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Mike (Karen) Hanson, many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Hunsy is preceded in death by his parents; Joseph and Emma Hemish, Wanda’s parents, Erland and Tillie Hanson; his son, Jason; siblings: Lillian (Archie) Berge, Richard (Tillie) Hemish, Emily Lindner, Virginia (Harwood) Hanse, Gladys (Lyle) Trautman, Walter (Helen) Hemish; and sister-in-law Lorraine (John) Hoffman.
