Earl Lucht

Earl Henry Lucht, 88, of Bemidji, MN, and a former longtime Crookston, MN resident, passed away peacefully at Trillium Memory Care in Bemidji on Thursday, December 4, 2014, with family at his side. Earl was born at New Rockford, ND on December 23, 1925, one of six children of the union of John Henry and Alma (Sievers) Lucht. He grew up in New Rockford, was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and attended school there. He then worked in his father's business for a few years before being employed at the local bakery. Earl entered the US Marine Corps on February 25, 1944 and was stationed overseas during WWII in the South Pacific. He trained with the infantry and served primarily as a baker and mess sergeant. Following his honorable discharge on May 17, 1946, with the rank of Sergeant, he returned home and was assigned to the US Marine Corps Reserve. He once again worked at the local bakery and also the bakery in nearby Harvey, ND. On July 2, 1949 Earl was united in marriage to Delores Ramona Filler at New Rockford. Their marriage would be blessed by the births of six children: Marsha, Gloria, Stephen, Janet, Jeffery, and Kristie. Earl and Delores settled in Lisbon where they owned and operated a bakery. With the start of the Korean War Earl was called to active duty once again on December 16, 1950 and deployed to Korea. He returned home following his second honorable discharge, with the rank of Staff Sergeant, on December 21, 1951. He attended the Dunwoody Trade School in Minneapolis from 1953 to 1954, adding to his self-acquired knowledge of the art and science of baking. In 1955 Earl, Delores, and their growing family moved to Crookston and established the Crookston Bakery. For a time they also had a second location in Crookston known at the Bake Shop. Eventually they merged the two and became the Bake Shop. With help from their children, Earl and Delores successfully operated their business until 1974. At that time a new super market, known as Hugo's, was just opening in town and Earl accepted the position of bakery department manager. He also took on the added responsibilities of super market assistant manager. He retired in 1992. Earl was a very talented carpenter, with skills in framing, decking , and cabinetry. He could also do dry-wall installation, along with plumbing, electrical, and concrete work. He built the family's home in Crookston and also their lake home on Union Lake, near Erskine, MN. Lake time was family time, which was so important to Earl and Delores, and also meant more time to fish, which was Earl's passion in life. They also enjoyed spending winters in Florida. Sadly, after a courageous battle against cancer and it's complications, Delores passed away on March 6, 1994. Earl's subsequent years continued to center on the kids and their families. As he visited each of them he would put his carpentering skills to good use doing whatever projects were needed to enhance their homes. He called it his "labor of love." Winters would continue to be spent in Florida. Earl moved to Bagley, MN in 2012 and a year later became a resident of Trillium in Bemidji. He was a faithful member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston and served as an usher for many years. Earl was extremely proud of his service to his country and held longtime memberships with Crookston's VFW Post 1902 and American Legion Post #20. Over the years he participated with the Crookston Veterans Council in providing funeral military rites to honor many of his fallen comrades. He was also a member and past-president of Crookston Eagles Aerie 873. Earl leaves his family with a legacy of abiding love, steadfast faith, and the values of hard work and pride in our country. He will be sadly missed by his family and many friends. Earl is survived by his six children: Marsha Brown of Hastings, MN, Gloria Hendrickson and husband, Mark, of Bagley, MN, Stephen Lucht of North Mankato, MN, Janet Creelman and husband, Brian, of Colorado Springs, CO, Jeffery Lucht and wife, Mary, of Shoreview, MN, and Kristie Schulz of Hastings, MN; twelve grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He also leaves a brother, Marty (Eloise) Lucht of New Rockford, ND; sister, Dory Thompson of Fargo, ND; sister-in-law, Marlys Keller of Harvey, ND; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. In addition to Delores, his beloved wife of forty-four years, he was preceded in death by his parents, John and Alma; sisters, Erna Lucht and Ruby (Bill) Bass; brother-in-law, Mick Thompson; and infant brother, Roy. May God richly bless the memory of Earl Henry Lucht. The funeral service and celebration of the life of Earl Lucht will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 12, 2014, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston with The Rev. Greg Isaacson, officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. Military Honors will be provided by the Crookston Veterans Council, and interment will take place in the Oakdale Cemetery, Crookston. Memorials may be given in Earl's name to the Trinity Lutheran Church, 205 South Broadway, Crookston, MN 56716. Online registry:



www.stenshoelhouske.com















Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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