On May 20, 2011, the Lord called Otto to his Eternal Home, having granted him a time of grace of 95 years. Rev. Otto Trebelhorn was born March 30, 1916, in Noonan, North Dakota. He was the son of Phillip and Anna Marie (Rohrig) Trebelhorn. After attending parochial and public school in Noonan and Winthrop, MN, Otto graduated from Winthrop High School in 1936. In 1937, he was employed as a postal clerk in Winthrop. On October 16, 1939, Otto became a Standard Oil Agent in Winthrop. On July 27, 1942, Otto married Ann K. Burdorf of Gibbon, MN. Their marriage was blessed with 6 children. In September of 1943, Otto entered Military Service in World War II. He served with the US Army Corps of Engineers in the US and Okinawa. He was discharged in April 1946, at which time he resumed his duties with Standard Oil. After 33 years with the company, Otto was able to take early retirement on April 1, 1973, and enrolled at Bethany Lutheran College and Theological Seminary at Mankato, MN, to pursue his lifelong ambition of being a minister. The Lord called Otto's wife, Ann, to her eternal rest on February 20, 1980. On August 23, 1982, Otto was married to Clara Mesko McConnell, of Ashland, WI, bringing into this new union 6 additional children. On January 1, 1984, Otto and Clara moved to Eau Claire, WI from Iowa.\r\nAlthough Otto had numerous retirement celebrations over the years, he never really retired. He stayed active in the ministry. He preached whenever and wherever he was needed. He performed many weddings, funerals and baptisms for the countless individuals and family members whose lives Otto touched over the years. He also continued to be very active with ministering to shut-ins and making hospital visits. He leaves to celebrate his eternal life and the joy of the resurrection to his beloved wife, Clara of Eau Claire, WI; children, Robert (Jane) Trebelhorn of Winthrop, MN, Kathy (Glenn) Olson of Eden Prairie, MN, Margaret (Tom) Miller of Winthrop, MN, Carol (Bill) Grant of Renville, MN, Kenneth Trebelhorn of Faribault, MN, Mark (Colleen) Trebelhorn of Alexandria, MN, John (Debbie) Mesko of Bayfield WI, Judy (Dave) Wickstrom of Hudson, WI, Kathy (Mark) Newman of Hudson, WI, Jean Waddle of Mellen, WI, Claire (John) Smith of Chippewa Falls, WI, Sophie (Paul) Randby of Hayward, WI; 32 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren; sister, Bertha Neubarth; sisters-in-law, Esther Trebelhorn, Ruth Trebelhorn and Minnie Trebelhorn; many nieces and nephews and many friends. \r\nOtto was preceded in death by his parents, Philip and Anna Trebelhorn; wife, Ann; sisters, Mary Bern and Frieda Klockman; brothers, Alex, John, Edward, Ben, Lenard, Robert and Henry; great-granddaughter, Riley Miller; and great-grandson, Gabriel Grant. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2011, at Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3715 London Rd., Eau Claire, with Rev. Frederick Theiste, Rev. Gaylen Schmeling and Rev. Paul Sullivan officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home, 814 First Ave., in Eau Claire, and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Claire, with military graveside honors conducted by VFW Post 305.
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