A man of few words, Art Redig lived with a quiet, yet strong faith. He was a generous, hard working man, and served his community well. Art will be remembered for many things, but his love for little ones and the way his face lit up when enjoying their company was a window into his good heart. Gone but never to be forgotten, Art will be lovingly remembered.

Born on June 12, 1918, Arthur Anthony Redig was a welcome addition in the lives of his parents, Michael and Anna (Renk) Redig who made their home in rural Winona, Minnesota. It was a significant year in our nation’s history, and the end of World War I brought welcome relief. Cause for great concern, however, was the Spanish flu which reached epidemic proportions. Raised by German parents, they followed the “old school” German traditions of raising and training children. Art was never told he was loved, and they were quick and careful to point out his errors and mistakes, all in an effort to improve his behavior and ability to learn.

Art grew up alongside his siblings Gerald, Barbara, and Wilfred on his family farm. He attended school through the eighth grade, like many youth of the time, and helped farm with his family. He often helped cut wood for fuel, and earned a dollar a day when cutting trees by hand. As kids, Art and his brothers also earned money by trapping gophers. He’d receive a nickel for pocket gophers, and streaked gophers netted three cents each, but a woodchuck brought in 15 cents. Art fondly recalled wonderful neighborhood parties from his youth, and it always proved to be a great time for everyone.

Having attended the country schoolhouse, Art was the lone student in his grade. He excelled in arithmetic, his favorite subject, and in the sixth grade he passed and received the best score in a statewide exam. He didn’t mind geography and spelling, but he struggled with history and grammar. Art’s first vehicle in 1929 was a Model T Ford pick up which in time he traded for a 1929 Chevrolet two door. He eventually traded it for a 1934 Ford V8 Coach.

Before World War II started, Art enlisted on the day he had to register for the draft. He joined the U.S. Army in October of 1940 and was sent to Newfoundland for the next 33 months. He then received orders for Europe shortly following the Battle of the Bulge, arriving there the day after the war’s end. Art served on patrol and as a cook in the Army. Upon his honorable discharge in October of 1945, Art headed back home to Minnesota where he once again took up farming with his family.

Art’s life took on new meaning in the fall of 1948 when he was introduced to a young woman named Lorraine Kallas. She was helping

out on his brothers’s farm, and soon their friendship grew into a meaningful relationship. They fell in love, and on June 1, 1950, they were united in marriage in South Dakota. Eager to begin their new life together, Art wanted to get married earlier in January, but Lorraine wanted a June wedding. He agreed as long as they were married before his 32nd birthday.

Art and Lorraine soon began a big Catholic family of their own. In a 15 year span of time, they shared their lives and love with the addition of 11

children, Jeanne, Ramona, Marilyn, Sharon, Nicholas, Michele, John, Peter, Timothy, June, and Deanna. Sadly, Peter and June both died suddenly in the 1990s which was a very difficult time for their family. Art was extremely proud to have given each of his 11 children a private, Catholic school education through Cotter High School in Winona.

Together, Art and Lorraine shared a heart for other children, too. They had plenty of love to go around, and from 1980 to 1986, they served as foster parents to over 20 kids, mostly teenagers. Although their love for kids not only began with their own children, but also included several foreign exchange they hosted from 1974 to 1982.

Although quiet in nature, Art was generous and kind. For many years, he planted sweet corn, and their family tradition was freezing it rather than canning. With plenty to go around, Art truly gave from the heart when a very severe flood hit the area in 2007. Art donated a truckload of sweet corn to those in need.

Art was also very involved within his community through several organizations. He took part in the Soil Conservation Project, was a member of the Winona County Shippers Association, the Tri County Oil Co-op, the Winona County American Dairy Association, Catholic Rural Life Committee, served as President of the Winona County Farmers Union and the Catholic United Financials St Joseph/Elizabeth Society Council #2. He played an integral role in the Land Stewardship Project and the SE Minnesota Rural Education and Resource Center, and in October of 1986, Art and Lorraine were funded to go to the Philippines on a fact finding tour to explore connections between the U.S farm crisis and hunger in the third world. As a Army Veteran, he belonged to the American Legion and served as a chaplain, provided military honors, and donated his time at the Legion fish fries. For several years he drove people to appointments for SEMCAC. He was indeed a man of few words, but he had a heart of gold.

Recent highlights for Art included being one of the grand marshals in the Winona Steamboat Days Parade on June 23, 2013. He sat in a red convertible with his wife by his side, and he beamed. More than anything, family brought Art the greatest joy. For his 95th birthday this year, his family and friends celebrated the occasion with a big birthday party in his honor at the American Legion.

Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service is the exclusive provider of the Life Story Experience™. Please visit HoffFuneral.com to view the Life Story, share memories and sign the guestbook.

“Your loved one never leaves our care”

Well into his later years, Art kept a sharp mind and remained active. In fact, he always aspired to reach his 100th birthday, even under the diagnosis of cancer he received last fall. Illness may have taken Art, but his spirit and loving ways will remain a constant reminder of a man who shared his faith by shining example. Art died peacefully under the care of Hospice on Sunday, August 18,

2013 at Saint Anne Extended Healthcare.

Always giving, even in death, it was Art’s wish that his body be donated to the Mayo Clinic’s Anatomy Department. With loving care and remembrance, his family made his casket from oak taken from the family farm, and it will be symbolically displayed at the service in memory of Art, a wonderful, devoted and dedicated man.

Art is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lorraine Redig; children, Jeanne (Bob) Bilder, Ramona (Ed Lagace) Redig, Marilyn (Gene) Hostetler, Sharon (Dan) Madison, Nick (Lynn Hickish) Redig, Michele (Joe) Thill, John Redig, Tim (Melanny) Redig, and Deanna (Bob) Brekke; 19 grandchildren, Forrest, Adrian, Derek, Amanda, Jessica, Rebecca, Michael, Rachel, Arthur, Anna, Amber, Scott, Nathaniel, Natasha, Allyce, Wesley, Rianna, Jerry, and Jesse; five great-grandchildren, Danny, James, Olivia, Isiah, and Callen; and daughter-in-law, Carmell Redig. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Peter Redig; daughter, June Redig and her son, Andy Petersen; brothers, Gerold and Wilfrid Redig; and sisters, Henrietta Redig and Barbara Rivers.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4-8 PM on Thursday, August 22, 2013 at Hoff Celebration of Life Center in

Goodview. A prayer service will begin at 4:00 PM, followed by a time of sharing. The Memorial Mass will be held at 4:00 PM on Friday, August 23, 2013 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wilson with visitation prior to the service from 2:30-3:45 PM. The Most Reverend Bishop Bernard

Harrington will preside with Monsignor Roy Literski and Reverend Timothy Hall as concelebrants. Following Mass, full military honors will be provided by the American Legion Leon J. Wetzel Post #9. Burial to take place at a later date in the Wilson Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Land Stewardship Project, SE MN Rural Education and Resource Center, American Legion Post 9, or to Catholic Charities. To share a memory and photo of Art and to sign his online guest book, please visit www.hofffuneral.com.