Charles “Bud” Bernard Van Hecke Jr. age 87 of Seaforth passed away Sunday, June 9, 2013 at Seasons Hospice in Redwood Falls.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth.
Visitation is 4:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the church with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Burial is in the church cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Charles “Bud” Bernard Van Hecke Jr. was born May 10, 1926 in North Hero Township near Walnut Grove to Charles and Hazel (McFarland) Van Hecke Sr. Bud attended school in rural Walnut Grove and Walnut Grove High School, and served in the Army. After his Honorable Discharge, he returned to the Wabasso area. Bud drove truck for Pete Cantine hauling gravel. He moved to Seaforth and met Rose. He was baptized in the Catholic faith in July 1951and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth. On July 17, 1951 he was united in marriage to Rose Schueller at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The couple moved to Walnut Grove where Bud hauled cream for the creamery. They moved to a farm west of Seaforth for 7 years where Bud farmed and drove school bus for Wabasso. They moved into Seaforth and Bud worked for the elevator and drove feed truck. The couple moved to St. Louis Park in 1968. Bud was maintenance director at Dayton’s in Southdale for 4 years. In 1972 they returned to Seaforth and Bud again worked at the elevator. Bud bought a grain truck and hauled grain for the elevator until he retired September 21, 1991. They continued living in Seaforth. Bud took up woodworking. He was a member of the Seaforth American Legion and the fire department for several years when it first began. Bud enjoyed playing his buttontina at adult day care and for nursing homes. He also loved fishing, camping, and woodworking.
Bud is survived by his wife Rose of 61 years; children: Charlene (Larry) Rohlik of St. Louis Park, Marlene (Mike) DeOtis of Robbinsdale, Cindy (Gary) Reese of Springfield, Jeff (Chris) Van Hecke of Prior Lake, Valerie (Lee) Gladitsch of Cold Spring, and Chuck (and friend Deb) Van Hecke of Syracuse, UT; 9 grandchildren: Michelle and Scott, Andrea and Marc, Jennifer, Jason, and Jordan, Andy and Jasmine; 6 great grandchildren: Anthony, Tabor, Courtlyn, Paxton, Jada, and Noelle, and 2 on the way; and sister Darlyne Mammenga of Watertown, SD. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Dorothy Herder, and nephew Gary Herder.