Andrew Pechacek

Andrew Norman Pechacek was born on October 12, 1914 to Frank and Martina Meland Pechacek in Hope, MN. At the age of 4, Andrew's family moved to a farm near Ellendale. Andrew was the middle child in a family of 13. He graduated from Ellendale High School and was the President of the class. After high school, Andrew attended Dana College in Blair, NE and cut hair to pay his tuition. On December 31, 1941 he was united in marriage to Phyllis Janette Foster at St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church in rural Steele County. Shortly after his marriage Andrew was called into service for the United States Army. He was in a company of engineers for 3 years. They went through the Guinea's island hopping. Andrew was also stationed in the Philippines while serving in the Army. Andrew was a member of the greatest generation of our times. After the war Andrew was a loan officer for agricultural loans at PCA. While working there, he also bought and ran a farm of his own. He enjoyed playing cards, doing church work, and traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe. Andrew was married to his lovely wife for 60 years. Survivors include his sons, Norman Cynthia Nelson Pechacek and Miles Pechacek; daughters-in-law, Peggy Wulff Pechacek and Dontta Lee-Pechacek Smith; grandchildren, David, Laura, and Daniel Pechacek, Heidi Pechacek and Brett Pechacek-Smith, and his brother Emil. Andrew was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Phyllis; sons, Noel and Vance; and siblings, Edward, Louis, William, Frank, Jessie, Emma, Clayton, Martha and Monroe.