Wilfred G. Vogel

Wilfred G. Vogel, age 94 of Granite Falls, formerly of Vesta, passed away on Wednesday, May 06, 2015 at the Granite Falls Municipal Hospital in Granite Falls. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, May 11, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Vesta. Visitation will be held from 4 – 8 pm on Sunday, May 10, 2015 at the Sunset Funeral Home in Echo with a prayer service being held at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Monday. Burial will be in the Vesta Cemetery following the service. Online condolences may be placed at www.sunsetfuneralassociation.com. The Sunset Funeral & Cremation Association is caring for the family. Wilfred Gustav Vogel was born on May 23, 1920 to Rudolph and Emma (Weilage) Vogel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was baptized on June 20, 1920 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. He grew up on a farm near New Ulm where he attended country school and was confirmed. In 1940, Wilfred was united in marriage to Elnora Menk in New Ulm, Minnesota. They made their home on a farm near New Ulm for a few years before moving to a farm near Sleepy Eye, and in 1965, they moved one last time to a farm near Vesta. After Elnora passed away in 1977, Wilfred married Lillian Schmidt a few years later and moved to the Wood Lake area. After retiring from farming, Wilfred worked in the maintenance department for the Echo, Wood Lake and Granite Falls schools for several more years. Wilfred was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Vesta but no matter where he lived or what church he attended, he was always involved with church and held many different offices over the years. Wilfred was an excellent herdsman, he knew his cows, and loved Brown Swiss cattle. He also enjoyed growing orange poppies, John Deere tractors, bullhead fishing, playing cards, and visiting friends and family. On Wednesday, May 06, 2015, Wilfred passed away peacefully at the Granite Falls Municipal Hospital in Granite Falls, Minnesota at the age of 94. He is survived by his four children, Joan (Bill) Wolfe of Wayzata, David (Marilyn) Vogel of Vesta, Barbra (Ronald) Shemon of Hazel Run, and Brian (Pam) Vogel of Wanda; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, two wives Elnora Menk and Lillian Schmidt, two brothers Dennis and Vernon Vogel and great grandson Braden Vogel. Blessed be his memory.