Mass of Christian Burial for John Coudron, 98, of Marshall, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. Visitation was Monday at Rehkamp Horvath Funeral Home in Marshall. Visitation will continue from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will follow the service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall.

John was born Sept. 23, 1918, in Stanley Township to Edmund and Eveline (Doom) Coudron. John attended St. Joseph’s Academy in Marshall through the eighth grade. When he was about five or six years old, John became very ill with a bad flu. At that time the doctor did not expect John to live through the night and the priest was called. John received the Last Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation by Father George Carlin of Holy Redeemer Church.

John was a lifelong member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. He was a devout Catholic, always attending mass and praying the rosary with the family. He was a lifelong member of the Propagation of the Faith. He served as a member of the first parish council. He also served as an usher and helped maintain Calvary Cemetery. John served a short time in the military and was honorably discharged on Jan. 29, 1942.

John farmed with his parents until he was united in marriage to Agnes Hamerlinck on Nov. 19, 1951. They were married at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Minneota, Minn. by Rev. F.R. Hope. Through their lifetime of 66 years together they farmed the family farm in Stanley Township. Here they raised their family of eight children; Virginia, Cathy, Diane, Gregory, Mark, Bernadette, Mary and Joseph.

John was a good steward of the land. At one time he had the highest proven corn yield per acre in the area. He took very good care of family, land and livestock. He taught his children that the work ethic of a job well done is worth all the effort you can put into it. He was self-educated; reading whenever he had some spare time. He was knowledgeable on many subject matters. Growing up his family did not have electricity. Putting his knowledge to use, he put together an electric power plant, carving the wood propeller himself. The plant provided lights for the home and more.

John learned many mathematical and scientific concepts; especially the chemistry of metallurgy. This knowledge helped in relation to everyday farming practices with special emphasis on welding and carpentry. He had a great skill at welding and used it for engineering solutions to solve many structural problems. John’s farming equipment was always in good repair and field ready. He used his welding and engineering skills to design and build grain and silage wagons and other farm related items. He was sought out by neighbors and family for mechanical and machinery repair.

John belonged to several farm organizations and served on the local ASC agricultural committee. He taught himself how to play the harmonica. He had a repertoire of about 100 songs he would sing while working the field, to the dismay of his neighbors. He loved planes, and in his younger years would often fly with friends. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson, roller skating and dancing. It was at one of those events, he met the love of his life Agnes.

John and Agnes retired from farming in 1987 but continued to live on the farm until 1999. At that time they built and moved into a new home in Marshall. They enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and spending time with family, grandchildren and especially their great-grandchildren. In failing health, John entered Minneota Manor in 2016. He always had a great sense of humor and maintained it even while in the nursing home.

He is survived by his wife Agnes, children Virginia Coudron of Brookings, Cathy (Randy) Van Leeuwe of Ghent, Minn., Diane (Mike) Dotson of Brookings , Gregory (Mavis) Coudron of O’Fallon, Mo., Mark Coudron of Pine Springs, Minn., Bernadette (Kevin) Black of Austin, Texa., Mary (Mark) Lane of Maple Grove, Minn., and Joseph (Cathy) Coudron of Hugo, Minn. Grandchildren, Eric (Sonja) Van Leeuwe, Jeremy (Mika) Van Leeuwe, April Van Leeuwe, Mackenzie (Kevin) Olson, Whitney Coudron, Shelby (Dan) Egan, Jackson Coudron, Milo Black, step-grandchild, Christina (Brett) Luger, and honorary-grandchild Chloe. Great-grandchildren, Sophia, Lexi and August Van Leeuwe, Ryker Olson and step-great-grandchild Leighton Luger. John was the last survivor of his siblings.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Eveline, six brothers and three sisters. Julius, Emil, Alois, Margaret DeMeyer, Mary Farasyn, Leon, August, Henry, and Julia De Cock. Great-grandchildren, Madison and Sheridyn Van Leeuwe and step-grandson Connor Folsom.

Blessed be his memory.