Cornelius Block

Cornelius was born on September 2, 1919 to Abraham Block and Agatha (Janzen) Block in Mennon, Saskatchewan, Canada. He graduated from Henderson high school in Henderson, NE in 1939. He moved to Minnesota where he met and married Lillian Patient on August 20, 1940. They moved to Mahomet, IL where he worked in a drop forging shop until he was drafted into the army during WWII on August 1, 1944. He served in the 115th combat engineers. He was honorably discharged from Fort Sheridan, IL on July 29, 1946. Upon discharge they moved back to Butterfield, MN to be near Lillian's family. After working at the Toro lawn mower plant in St. James he went to refrigeration school in Minneapolis. After graduation he went to work for Riverside Refrigeration in Owatonna, MN. He later moved back to Butterfield where he went to work for Carl Wetland appliance and repair in St. James. After Carl's death, Cornelius started his own business until he retired at age 90. On November 20, 1974 Lillian passed away from cancer. On November 16, 1979 Cornelius married Ione Block. They lived together in St. James until her death on October 2, 1998. Cornelius is survived by son, Roger and wife Cindy of St. Peter, MN, daughter, Patricia Block of Richmond, CA, stepson, James Hofstad and wife Geraldine of Sacramento, CA , daughter-in-law, Annie Hofstad of St. James and many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and two siblings, Zelman Avis and David Block. Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Tuesday, September 19, 2017 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Visitation 2 9:30 am - 10:30 am Wednesday, September 20, 2017 First Presbyterian Church, St. James 706 3rd Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 10:30 am Wednesday, September 20, 2017 First Presbyterian Church, St. James 706 3rd Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Butterfield City Cemetery Address not given Butterfield, Minnesota, United States 56120 Military honors by St. James Veterans Honor Guard. Luncheon A time of fellowship will be held immediately following services at the church.