JOSEPH M. MECHURA

"Joe"

     Joseph “Joe” Mahlon Mechura, of Faribault, died on Sunday, April 20, 2008 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester with family at his side.
    Funeral services will be held at First English Lutheran Church, Faribault on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend David Hurtt officiating. Interment will be in Meadow Ridge Memorial Park, Faribault.
     Visitation will be held at the Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault on Wednesday, April 23 from 4 to 8 p.m. and also at church for one hour prior to the service on Thursday.
     Joe was born on May 8, 1942 in Walcott Township, Rice County to Joe and Marie (Anhorn) Mechura. He graduated from Northfield High School with the Class of 1960. On November 17, 1962, he married Sharon Brunotte at Trinity Lutheran Church, Northfield. Over the years Joe worked at Sellner Mfg, Schulz Agri Products, Mechura Express, Met Con and Malt-O-Meal. Proudly displayed above his office door at Sellner’s was a sign he received as a gift from coworkers that read “Grandpa Joe Since 1988”. Joe was loved by many. He was always ready & willing to help everyone at a moments notice. A favorite quote of Joe’s was, “Good, better, best, never let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best.”
     Joe is survived by his wife, Sharon Mechura of Faribault; one son, Mark (and Robin) Mechura of Rochester; two daughters, Jennifer (and Mark) Steigerwald of Eden Prairie and Ranae Maas of Kalispel, MT.  Joe was very proud of his five grandchildren, April Lawson of Chaska, Hailie and Zack Maas of Kalispel, MT and Tanner and Spencer Mechura of Rochester. He is also survived by four sisters, LaJune Benbo of South St. Paul, Ellen (and Edwin) Crist of Hastings, Marie (and Willis) Yule of Faribault and Doreda (and David) Cannon of St. Paul; two brothers, Milton (and Dottie) of Aurora, CO and Clayton (and Bonnie) of Faribault.
     He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister; and one brother, Roger.


 


 Guest Book Memories Will Be Recorded Below
Name:
Brenda {LaCroix} Krohn
Email:
deanakrohn@aol.com
Date:
Saturday June 28, 2008

Memories

I grew up down the block from Joe and always remember how welcome he made you feel when I was at his house, I still live down the road from his house and my children would go to ask him to buy fund raisers item's for their school and he would always give them 2 bags of malt o meal cereal to take home with them, they would also like playing with his dog they said. I grew up with his children and am the same age as Jenny so we hung out together alot either at her house or mine. I was really sorry to hear that Joe had passed away but feel he's in heaven with our lord and is happy.

Name:
Diane Phipps
Email:
Date:
Friday May 09, 2008

Memories

When I started at Malt-O-Meal I worked with Joe. He's one of the hardest working people I've worked with. He seemed to never give up & sometimes never give in... It didn't matter if something looked "good enough", Joe would work on it until it was near perfect! As I moved on to other positions around MOM I always enjoyed talking with Joe. He was never afraid to "tell it like it is". Thank You for sharing your family photos, I enjoyed viewing them. Diane

Name:
Barb Foss
Email:
bfosiqult2@frontiernet.net
Date:
Wednesday April 23, 2008

Memories

My deapest sympothys go out to Sharon and the kids. Also the brothers and sisters. I knew Joseph for some tiem before I met and married "Brother" Roger. I always loved the way the family got together so often. You could drop in any day at any time and Joseph's Mom would serve you a fiest fit for Christmas dinner. Roger, Clayton and Joseph were very close. They bowled together and of course Eucar. It was so much fun getting together with the whole family. Joseph would help out anyone that needed the help. Roger leaned on him often. I really miss being part of that as do many that have moved away. Joseph will be missed by many and my heart goes out to all. Barb Foss

Name:
Willis & Marie Yule
Email:
apa44@charter.net
Date:
Tuesday April 22, 2008

Memories

I have so many memories of Joseph. As everyone knows he would drop everything if you called and needed help. We really got very close when I had my bout with not feeling well, He would call almost every day to see how I was and even when he was hurting he took the time to drive me and Willis to Rochester. He really felt bad that he couldn't do things like he use to too help people out. I know he was looking forward for when he retired to help his neighbor do farm field work and he was sad that that couldn't happen. Joseph was a very special guy and he will have a special place in my heart even with his faults he may have had. He has a great family in Sharon, Jennifer,Mark and Ranae and his grandchildren. My love to all of you. Your in-law and Aunt and Uncle Willis and Marie

Name:
Ron Karels
Email:
gochevy@hickorytech.net
Date:
Tuesday April 22, 2008

Memories

My sympathies for the loss of Joe.I worked with him at Malt O Meal and really enjoyed being with him.The last time I had the opportunity to visit with Joe was at my retirement party.He was a good man and will be missed by many. My prayers and sympathies go out to all of you. Sincerely, Ron Karels

Name:
Tonja Stadler (Mechura)
Email:
stadler0619@dishmail.net
Date:
Tuesday April 22, 2008

Memories

I don't know where to begin. I can't just say there is one memory that is special to me. The first three years of my life I lived with Joe's mom and dad (grandpa and grandma) and I remember the love the Mechura's have for each other. As a young child when family would get together it was a houseful, but the love that filled the air was contagious. Joe and Clayton call each other brother, Marie and Dorita were sister, and people outside the Mechura's laugh at how the Mechura's refer to each other. I remember how Joe was always there to help everyone with their vehicle repairs. My dad (Roger) who wasn't mechanically inclined, would go visit Joe about once a week to get mechanical advise (I think it was just for the special bonding time). I remember after dad died (Roger), Uncle Joe took my first car, the Chevette, repainted it and called me up and had me come see what a great car this had become. That was very special to me; it was a part of dad and Joe. But my two most cherished moments are the tape Joe gave me after dad died of my confirmation with dad and two weeks ago being given the opportunity to hold his hand and tell him "I love you".

Name:
Terra M. Favro
Email:
Date:
Monday April 21, 2008

Memories

I am an employee of Community Co-op and work with Anna Bluhm. I met Joe through his many visits to Co-op over the past three years. Although I did not know him on a personal level he often brought a smile to all of us gals on Co-op. He also brought his companion "Katie" with him. I will sure miss Joe's smily face and he and Katies visits to Co-op. My sympathies to the Mechura family in this most difficult time.

Name:
JoAnn Ernste
Email:
jmernste@mchsi.com
Date:
Monday April 21, 2008

Memories

So many wonderful memories of Uncle Joe.....I can just hear him- "There's Show Ann!!" . Joe was a very hard worker with a work ethic that few could match. He gave Jeff a job at Sellner's when he graduated from college before he got his job at IBM. He probably regretted it because well, Jeff wasn't terribly mechanically inclined, and he probably had to re do whatever Jeff did, but he never let us know it:) He stopped in Oklahoma a few times when we lived there and stayed with us on his way to or back from Texas to pick up cars to fix up. He and Sharon came down and visited with us when our first daughter Paige was born. He was always the greeter at the family reunions with the video camera rolling as you walked in. The kids always remember the big Strawberry that Joe would have hauled to wherever the reunions were held so the kids could play in it. And Katy- his beloved little dog who went wherever he went. And when I was a hairstylist I remember cutting his beautiful white hair that he always insisted was "blonde":) I'm sure there are many other things but that is what sticks out right now. Joe was a great uncle and just a good kind hearted person who would give you the shirt off his back. Our deepest sympathy and love to you all. Jeff, JoAnn, Paige, Peyton and Bret Ernste

Name:
Stanley & Wanda Yule
Email:
wmyule@kc.rr.com
Date:
Monday April 21, 2008

Memories

We are greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Joe. We wish to extend our condolensces to the family and to the many other friends who knew and loved Joe. May your memories of him and the love of God sustain you in your time of sorrow. With Sincere Sympathy, Stanley & Wanda Yule

Name:
Katherine and David Columbia
Email:
kcolumbia2@q.com
Date:
Monday April 21, 2008

Memories

First of all, I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit MN in 25 years. I think of all of you often. My memories go back to all the summers spent in Minnesota. Making hay, going to the movies on Friday and Saturday nights, going to the general store to watch movies on the side of the buildings and getting ate up by mosquitoes. Then there were the dances at the lake. The last time I saw Joseph was about 25 years ago and we were there for the 4th of July. Joseph was working for Malt-o-Meal then and we all went to the plant and spent the whole day, and most of the evening if I recall right, dancing, drinking and having a heck of a good time. I still have my black Malt-O-Meal shirt. Joseph always wanted everyone to have a good time and enjoy themselves no matter where we were. He grew to be more like his dad as he aged, although he could hold his beer better than his dad. I pray he has been received by the Father and enjoying the peace of Heaven. May my cousins all be comforted by the Peace Jesus promised from the Father. My love to all of you. Your cousin Katherine