Obituary: Father Andrew Marthaler

Father Andrew F. Marthaler, 86, of Sauk Centre, died Dec. 13 at Quiet Oaks Hospice House, St. Augusta. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, with a vigil prayer service at 7 p.m. at St. Alexius Church in West Union. Visitation will resume Thursday, Dec. 19, at 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with Bishop Donald Kettler presiding. Interment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Father Mathaler was born Dec. 29, 1932, on the family farm near West Union, to Albert and Antonette (Deters) Marthaler. He attended District 157 grade school, graduated from Sauk Centre High School and earned several degrees from the University of Minnesota. He served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1956. After being discharged, he worked briefly for Armour Meat Packing in South St. Paul as a quality control inspector. He worked in sales for seven years in southern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota and later taught agriculture and farm management in Eden Prairie, New Prague, Detroit Lakes, and Winona.

In 1986, Father Marthaler attended the Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology at Hales Corner, Wisconsin, and was ordained a priest June 9, 1990. After serving at St. Mary Church in Melrose for one year, he was appointed to the St. Olaf Church in Elbow Lake until his retirement. During his time at St. Olaf’s, he also served at the St. Gall in Tintah and Our Lady of the Runestone in Kensington. Father Marthaler moved to Sauk Centre in 2008 and continued to serve the Diocese of St. Cloud as needed.

He was a member of St. Alexius Church, St. Joseph’s Society in West Union, Osakis Knights of Columbus, Schanhaar-Otte VFW in Melrose, American Legion Post 67 in Sauk Centre, National Rifle Association, American Federation of Teachers, Minnesota Education Association, National Education Association, and the American Vocation Association.

Survivors include his sisters, Poor Clare Sister Mary Peter of St. Clare’s Monastery in Sauk Rapids, Joan (Chuck) Pfannenstein of St. Louis Park, and Imelda (Jack) McCann of Sartell; and many nieces and nephews.

Father Marthaler was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sisters, Benedictine Sister Andre, Albert, Lawrence, Paul, Benedictine Sister Germana, Anthony, and Annella Hougnon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

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Author: The Central Minnesota Catholic

The Central Minnesota Catholic is the magazine for the Diocese of St. Cloud.

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