Anton Dick

Anton A Dick, 97, of Mountain Lake, MN died on Monday, February 23, 2009 at Good Samaritan Village in Mountain Lake, MN. Visitation will be at Good Samaritan Village Chapel in Mountain Lake on Friday, February 27, 2009 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Interment will preceded the service in the Carson Mennonite Brethren Cemetery near Delft, MN. Memorial service will be held at the Community Bible Church in Mountain Lake on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 10:30 AM. The Clergy will be Pastor Kenneth Unruh and Pastor Brad Bonnett Arrangements with Bjerum Funeral Home in Mountain Lake, MN. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.sturmfh.com Anton Dick was born on September 1, 1911 on a farm between Mt. Lake and Delft, MN. He was the fifth child of John K. and Helena (Buhler) Dick. When Anton was 2 or 3 years old, a younger brother and sister died within two weeks of each other as a result of a diphtheria epidemic, the family feared that he might also die, but his life was graciously spared. When Anton was a young boy, during special evangelistic meetings at the Carson Mennonite Brethren Church, he accepted Christ as his savior, not in church but by himself in the hay loft of the family farm. Later he was baptized and then joined the Carson congregation, where he continued as a member until the church closed in 2005. At that time he became a member of the Community bible Church in Mt. Lake. Anton attended the District 80 West country school through the 8th grade. This was the extent of his formal education, following which he assisted his parents on the family farm. He was never able to establish a close relationship with his father, but felt much closer as a child and youth to his mother. On July 12, 1938 he was married to Viola Wiens, a young woman who lived on a farm less than a mile from his home, and with whom he became acquainted while singing in the church choir at the Carson Church. Four children were born into this family, three sons, Mervin, Ronald, and James, and one daughter, Loretta. Following their marriage, Anton and Viola moved to Delft, MN where Anton owned and operated a blacksmith shop. After four years, in 1942, they moved to Anton's home farm, where he took up farming as his primary vocation. At first the farming proved difficult and he became discouraged, even contemplating a move to the West Coast. But in 1943 he injected new vigor into the farming by diversifying to include a turkey enterprise on the farm, which he continued to manage until he retired from active farming. Later he purchased and moved the family to Viola's 160 acre home farm which he continued to operate until his retirement. Here, with the encouragement by his faithful partner and companion Viola, he built a large pole barn and initiated a turkey laying hen business in collaboration with several hatcheries. Following retirement, Anton and Viola spent ten winters in McAllen, Texas. There he often joined a group of men who went into Mexico to do construction and repair work at an orphanage there. He also spent time in Italy and Japan, assisting with construction projects for several relatives of Viola who were missionaries. In 1995, he and Viola moved to the Park View Estates in Mountain Lake, where they resided until October, 2006, when they moved to the Eventide Estates. In May, 2007, they moved to the Good Samaritan Care facility, where they shared a room. For a number of years Anton was a pianist for the Carson Male Chorus, which became widely known in the surrounding communities because of its weekly radio broadcast. At the Carson Church, Anton served as a trustee, a deacon, Sunday School Treasurer, and member of the building committee when the church was moved from rural Carson Township to Delft. He also served as a member of the Co-op board in Mt. Lake, the Christian Day School board and the board of the Mennonite Aid Insurance program. Anton was known for his ability to repair broken things and his skill in welding. Following retirement from farming, Anton pursued his interest and skill in woodworking, making grandmother and grandfather clocks for his four children and wall clocks for his grandchildren. He also made many items for the annual Mennonite Central Committee auction sale in Sioux Falls, SD. At age 82 he developed an interest in leaded glass, and took classes in Windom to develop this skill. Once again his children and grandchildren were blessed with various items he created. He also enjoyed making wood and glass items for friends and acquaintances. Anton enjoyed good health all of his life. His heart pacemaker which assisted him for over 30 years never slowed him down or kept him from enjoying his life. His wife, Viola in her book of memories, describes Anton with these words: H is an outdoors man-a man of the land. He is creative ... He is considerate of others and helpful. He has a very good hearted nature. Hardly ever does he get upset or angry. Above all he is a beautiful Christian husband and father and has made an exemplary Christian home for his family. We all love him dearly! Anton is survived by his wife Viola, his sons Mervin (Jane) of Frederick, CO, Ronald (Sandra) of Virginia, MN and James (Diane) of Mt. Lake, MN, Daughter Loretta (Bernard) Larson of St. Paul, MN, 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, John K. Dick and Helena Buhler Dick Wiebe, his brothers John, Waldo, and Orlando, and his sister Agatha Boldt. One grandson, Perry Dick, also preceded him in death.