Albert Herman Messenbrink

Albert H. Messenbrink age 84 of Tracy, MN died Thursday, March 25, 2010 at the Good Samaritan Care Center is Westbrook, MN. Services will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at the Church of Christ in Tracy. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until the time of service at the church on Tuesday. A luncheon will follow immediately after the service at the church. Interment will be announced later in the spring. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements. Albert Herman Messenbrink was born May 8, 1925 to George and Anna (Grunenwald) Messenbrink on a farm between Windom, MN and Jackson, MN, in Jackson County. He was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church in Jeffers, MN and attended Country School District #54 in Cottonwood County. During the Depression years, Albert’s father became ill, so he left school to work on the farm. On March 15, 1949 Albert married Berniece G. Carter and they made their home on a farm near his father’s farm for several years. They moved to Glenwood, MN in 1954, before returning to the Westbrook area in 1956. Over the years Albert continued to farm and worked several other area businesses including, Westbrook Elevator, Toro in Windom, MN, Hog Buying Station in Dovray, MN, Anderson Livestock, also of Dovray, Konkel Tree Service, and Herder Tree Service. He moved into Tracy, MN in 1975 and retired there in 1988. Albert’s love of the land drew him into farming and gardening his whole life. He often joked about how his father bought him a four tined fork and a shovel, as his first toys when he was born, so that he could grow into them. He grew many varieties of beautiful flowers in his gardens. Albert also enjoyed fishing, playing cards and Twins baseball. While residing in Tracy, he lived with special friend, Helen Olson and remained very close to her daughter, Barbara Herder over the years. In 2009 Albert entered the Murray County Hospice House in Slayton, MN for a short time, before becoming a resident of the Good Samaritan Center in Westbrook, MN, where he died Thursday, March 25, 2010 at the age of 84. Albert is survived by his one daughter, Leslie (Leo) Hofstadter of Currie, MN; two sons, Thomas (Linda) Messenbrink of Avoca, MN and Scott (Judy) Messenbrink of Pine, CO; a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren; one brother, Harold (Effie) Messenbrink of Houston, TX; one sister, Claudette Carter of Jeffers, MN; one brother-in-law, John Lange of Windom, MN; nieces, nephews and friends. His parents, one sister, Regina Lange, one sister-in-law, Theresa Messenbrink and one brother-in-law, Ivan Carter preceded him in death.