Henry "Hank" Appeldorn

was born to Herman and Marie (Lange) Appeldorn on June 10, 1927 in Pipestone, Minnesota. He was raised on a farm in Grange Township of Pipestone County, Minnesota where he attended country school and later attended Pipestone High School. Upon completion of his education, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in WWII. After his discharge on August, 1946, he returned to Pipestone and was employed at Farmer’s Dairy. On November 12, 1946, he was united in marriage to Mary “Maxine” Smith at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they lived in Pipestone where he continued working at Farmer’s Dairy and later became employed at Culligan Soft Water. In the early 1960’s, he opened Hank’s Standard Gas Station in Pipestone. After his retirement in 1982, he worked part-time at the Liquor Store for four years. In July, 2010, they moved into Whispering Winds in Pipestone. On December 30, 2010, Hank entered the Pipestone County Medical Center with reoccurring pneumonia. Then, on January 24, 2011, he became a resident at Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone for rehabilitation. He died there on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at the age of 83 years, nine months and six days.

Hank was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone. He was a member of the Michael Boock American Legion Post #6 where he was Commander in 1960. He was also a member of the Pipestone Fire Department where he served in the Engine Company for 21 years. He enjoyed fishing and playing cards. His visits with the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were very special.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Maxine Appeldorn of Pipestone, Minnesota; his children, Linn Merkley and her husband Dick of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sue Bredeck and her husband Mike of Madison, Minnesota, Tom Appeldorn and his wife Ardie of Marshall, Minnesota, Dave Appeldorn of Glendale, Arizona, Jim Appeldorn and his wife Kim of St. Paul, Minnesota, Joe Appeldorn of Edina, Minnesota, and Mike Appeldorn and his wife Teri of Tea, South Dakota; 15 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one brother, Harold Appeldorn and one sister, Nora Griebel, both of Pipestone. He was preceded in death by his son, Jeff; his parents; and three sisters, Caroline Severance, Lucille Edgecomb, and Marie Barkley.