John Drummer

NORTHVIEW - North Mankato Mortuary
2060 Commerce Drive
North Mankato, Minnesota 56003
507-388-2288

Former Southern Minnesota Minn. Milkman C.H. John Drummer of North Mankato passed away surrounded by his family Saturday, June 30, 2012. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 3rd at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be held from 4 " 8 p.m., with a 3:30 p.m., Prayer Service Monday at NORTHVIEW - North Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

He was born on March 28, 1929 to Joseph and Mary (Tacheny) Drummer in Mankato, the 6th of 10 children. He attended school at Sts. Peter and Paul's, Tivoli and Loyola. He was married for 61 years to his loving wife Dorothy Linder at St. Anastasia Catholic Church, Hutchinson Minn. on Jan. 30, 1951.

In April of '51 John was drafted by the US Army and served 9 months of combat in Korea with the 7th Infantry Division in such campaigns as Heart Break Ridge; the Iron Triangle while being a ammunition bearer and gunner on the heavy machine guns of Co M 32nd Regiment. John was proud to receive the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars and most recently he received recognition for his service during the Korea Conflict from the Korean Government.

After his discharge in '53 John went to work for Marigold Foods where he became the Southern Minnesota milkman for 38 years retiring in 1991. He was also an active member of Holy Rosary Church where he served as head of Administration/ Finance Committee for 3 years as well as 15 years as Trustee and other committees for which he was awarded the Bishops Service Award by Bishop Nienstedt of the New Ulm Diocese. He was a lifetime member of Post 11 American Legion. John was a member of the North Mankato Knights of Columbus where he served as financial secretary for 30 years.

John is survived by his wife Dorothy (Linder), sons John (Lori), Paul (Kathy) of Mankato, Andrew (Heidi) of Janesville, Matthew ( Karen) of Nicollet. Daughters Janet (George) Fasnacht of Mankato, Julie (Chuck) Schoettler of North Mankato, Jennie (Jim) Adams of Litchfield, Peggy Mason (fianc" Mike Fontaine) of Bokeelia, Fla., Mary Drummer of Redondo Beach Ca., 23 grandchildren, and 4 step- grandchildren, and 13 great- grandchildren. Brother Harold Sr. of Mankato and sisters Hildegard Denn and Marion Johnson, Deloris Rykhus, Geraldine Decker, all of Mankato, Rosella Hawker of Lake Crystal, and Betty Quinn of Mahtomedi, and sisters- in- law LaVaughn of North Mankato, and Arlette Dahlberg of Hutchinson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, son- in-law Doug Mason, grandson Adam Schoettler, brother Ray, and sister Olivia Heminover, his in- laws Gust and Regina Linder of Hutchinson, and 6 brother-in-laws.

John organized the Holy Rosary Polka Mass Singers. He played concertina for his own amusement and he was a great fan of old- time music. He and his wife of 61 years loved to travel to all 50 states plus Mexico and Canada. After retiring he became a renowned walleye fisherman!