Francis Hebel

Frank Hebel, farmer, and long time resident of Twin Lakes, died peacefully on November 16, 2004, in Edina, Minnesota. He was 92. He died of heart failure after struggling for some time with pneumonia. Friends and family would often hear Frank proudly state, "It all starts at the farm." Although he spent most of his life farming - at times as many as 1, 000 acres and raising 10, 000 chickens for sale - he also worked as a Mason City taxicab driver early years, sold Aerovac insect exterminators, formed the Frank Hebel Real Estate Firm, and started the Hebel Farm Service, a fertilizer company. In addition, he was a Shaklee supervisor for over 25 years. Integrity and honesty were the key words in his life. He was an ambitious hard worker and could have as many jobs going at one time as was necessary to make ends meet - hours didn't matter. He awakened his family for farm chores as early as 4:00 a.m. with a cheerful, "Are you up for all day?" If the response to this question was anything less than enthusiastic, he would remind his kids to, "Keep Smiling!" Frank Hebel instilled in his children the importance of love and loyalty to family. The love of his life was his beautiful wife, Helen. He never failed to remind his children that, "Mom is #1! But #2 ain't bad!" He was a dedicated and remarkably involved volunteer. As a member of the school board for many years, a good school system for local children was extremely important to him. He was also a member of the board of the Farmers Home Administration, a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Elks, the Toastmasters Club, and the Albert Lea Board of Realtors. He also had a pilot's license. Mr. Hebel was born on May 26, 1912, to Ferdinand Hebel and his wife, Helen Yezek Hebel in Manly, Iowa. Frank was the first-born of 10 children. He is preceded in death by his beloved and awesome wife of 54 years, Helen Gavle Hebel; 1 brother, Clem Hebel; 4 sisters: Gerturde Jennisch, Gladys Woldum, Rosalie Cornelius, and Genevieve Johnson; and by his great-granddaughter, Allison Elaine Graser. He is survived by 4 daughters: Shirley Lindgren of Lutsen, MN, Mary Jenkins Mrs. Donald of Tower, MN, Virginia Perl of Pleasant Hill, CA, and Phyllis Parker Mrs. Richard of Grand Marais, MN; 2 sons, Bruce Hebel and Lynn Hebel, both of Eagan, MN; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; 4 sisters: Helen Scurlock of Daly City, CA, Geraldine Grant of Manly, IA, Elaine Barsness of Lake Mills, IA, and Delores Mathahs of Manly, IA; and many nieces and nephews. For those who knew him well, Frank is best remembered for his good sense of humor, and his ability to make people feel comfortable in his home. A Seagram & Seven, a cigarette, and good friends - life doesn't get much better than that! But at a certain point in the evening, before the hour got too late, Frank would stand up and candidly announce, "Well, it was good that you got to see me! I'm off to brush my tooth. You know where the bar is. Shut the lights off when you leave." Well Frankie, we've shut off the lights. We love you. Keep smiling!