Sylvester A. Mischke

Sylvester A. Mischke, age 79 of Buckman, MN, passed away Saturday, October 31, 2009 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Buckman, MN, with Fr. Gerald Mischke, Fr. Gerald Dalseth, Fr. Kenneth Brenny and Fr. Bernard Mischke concelebrating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009 and 9:00 - 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, Nov. 4th all at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Buckman. There will be a rosary at 4:30 P.M., parish prayer service at 6:30 P.M. and Knights of Columbus Office of the Dead at 7:30 P.M. all at the church on Tuesday. Sylvester "Sy" Albert Mischke was born on April 24, 1930 on the Mischke Family farm in Buckman Township, Morrison County, Minnesota to the late August & Eleanor (Pawlu) Mischke. He grew up on the farm and attended country school and St. Michael's Catholic School. He worked five years at the St. Cloud Hospital. He was united in marriage to Rosemary Lambert on August 7, 1958 at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Hillman, MN. The couple lived for two years on a farm in rural Hillman while Sy farmed and worked at Swift and Company from 1955 - 1962. The couple later moved to South St. Paul while Sy worked at Swift. In 1962, they moved to the family farm in Buckman Township where Sy was a dairy farmer. Sy was the fourth generation to farm the Mischke family farm which became a Century Farm in 1979. Sy was an avid reader and especially enjoyed reading to his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed playing cards, making crafts, playing checkers, playing games with his family, playing Wii (his new sport) and making fruit cake (he was famous for his fruit cakes). Sy's family was important to him. He "worked and played" together with his family. He took great pride in his German heritage, attempting to teach his children. He was proud that his children and grandchildren were taking German classes in school. He even was a 55 Alive instructor for 13 years. His Catholic faith was very important to him and he continued to strive to learn and study more about his faith all through his life. He was involved in volunteering at St. Michael's School and Father Pierz School of Religion, was a member of the Knights of Columbus where he served as a Grand Knight and was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Minnesota Farmers Union serving on the local board. Sy and Rosemary celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary this past summer. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 51 years, Rosemary of Buckman; children, Tom (Kathy) Mischke of Circle Pines, MN, Rosanne Mischke of Buckman, MN, Chris (Jim) Davenport of Yankton, SD, Pat (Tim) Paulus of Little Canada, MN, Judy (Randy) Lartch of Stacy, MN, Joe (Tonya Schmitt) Mischke of Hammond, WI and Jessi Mischke of Buckman, MN; siblings, twin brother, Celestine (Lorraine) Mischke of St. Paul Park, MN, Luella Bialke of Pierz, MN, Laura Duscher of South St. Paul, MN, Fr. Gerald Mischke of St. Cloud, MN, Shirley (Marty Posch) Houghton of St. Cloud, MN and Betty (Al) Pekarek of Pierz, MN; 15 grandchildren, Scott (Christy), Amanda, Mike and Monica Mischke, Micah and Connor Davenport, James and Sarah Paulus, Kenny and Maggie Lartch, Aaron, Kimi, Julia and Gus Schmitt-Mischke. Sy was preceded in death by his parents, August & Eleanor (Pawlu) Mischke; brothers-in-law, Roger Duscher and Lee Millner. Arrangements are with Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service of Pierz, MN.