Henry "Hank" Loxtercamp, 88
October 11, 1914 - January 17, 2003
Henry “Hank” Loxtercamp, 88 of Melrose died Friday, January 17th, 2003 in Branson, Missouri.
Mass of Christian Burial was Tuesday, January 21st 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Melrose with Rev. Vincent Lieser officiating. Interment followed in the parish cemetery.
Visitation was held Monday evening and Tuesday morning at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Knights of Columbus prayed at 7 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 8 p.m..
Henry was born on October 11, 1914 in Grove Township, Stearns County, Minnesota. He was one of 13 children of Herman and Mary Loxtercamp. Henry grew up on the farm, and at the ripe old age of 11 left home and started his lifetime vocation of work. After his marriage at Greenwald, Minnesota to Rita Schulte in 1937 they moved to Melrose where Henry began a career in business. This was a man who epitomized the true American Entrepreneurial Spirit. With a limited amount of education but a huge capacity for work and an innate ability to merchandise a product he became a very successful businessman.
He started by driving a Standard Oil Co. Truck delivering fuel to homes and farms. He started Loxtercamp Oil Co. in Melrose. He also started Loxtercamp Motors in Melrose, now known as Maus Motors. He was also involved in a tire sales business and was instrumental in starting a bowling alley, Homers Lounge and other business in Melrose. In later years he owned Loxtercamp Transport in Melrose.
Henry was without a doubt the greatest promoter ever for the community of Melrose. He was instrumental in the development of the turkey raising and processing industry in the Melrose area. He was a leader in bringing Kraft Foods to Melrose which was a tremendous boost to the dairy industry in this area.
Henry served for many years in various capacities within the community. He served on the Melrose City Council, Board of Directors for Melrose State Bank, Melrose Lions Club, and Melrose Community Development Association. He was a major supporter of Meadowlark Country Club Golf Course at Melrose and served on a committee which resulted in the recruitment of doctors for the community and the building of Melrose Medical Clinic.
Henry served as a trustee for St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose for 52 years and in 1972 was presented with the Bishop’s Medal of Merit for his years of faithful service. He was also a longtime member of the Melrose Council of the Knights of Columbus.
Henry’s devotion to his “job” was occasionally interrupted by hunting or fishing trips “up north” with his buddies. He served as the camp cook and sometimes even remembered to take his fishing rod or gun along.
Henry was a loving and devoted husband to Rita of Melrose and father to his daughter,
Doris (Nick) Braegelmann of Melrose who preceded him in death; twin sons Ronald (Alice) of Melrose and Donald (Sharren) of St. Cloud; thirteen grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Leo Loxtercamp of Melrose, Tony Loxtercamp (Louise) of Swanville, Raymond Loxtercamp (Ermina) of Lake Henry, Sister Georgetta Loxtercamp, O.S.B. of St. Paul, Beata Frieler of Melrose and Rose Uphoff of Greenwald.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Doris Braegelmann on June 16, 1995; brothers, Joe, Herman, Ben, Alois, Otto and Fred Loxtercamp.
Several years ago Henry was chosen to receive the Melrose American Legion Post 101 Annual Community Service Award. No one has ever been more deserving. The community of Melrose is deeply appreciative of your years of service and you will be missed by all. God Bless!