Florian Wersal

Florian George Wersal was born January 12, 1931, in Springfield, MN the son of John and Frances (Roiger) Wersal. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea from 1952-54. Florian was captured in the Kowmwa Valley and was a P.O.W. from July 14, 1953, until August 24, 1953. He returned to Korea 50 years later as part of a Peace Mission where former P.O.W.'s were then treated like royalty. Upon his discharge he returned to Springfield and was united in marriage to Evelyn Krueger on August 18, 1954. Florian worked at the Sleepy Eye and Evan elevators while farming on his own, and later became co-owner of R W Feeds in Springfield. He was a member of St. Raphael's Catholic Church and was very involved in the re-staining of the church pews during the renovation. Florian was a lifetime member of John Watson American Legion Post #257 serving as Past Commander, Past Commander of the Prairieland Ex-Prisoners of War, a member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15 - New Ulm, a member of the Brown County Veterans Council and current Treasurer, and a member of the Sleepy Eye VFW. He also helped extensively in the re-modeling of the Springfield American Legion. Florian enjoyed playing cards, watching the Twins and Vikings, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Florian Wersal died Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at Oak Hills Living Center in New Ulm at the age of 80 years. He is survived by children- Ron (Sandra) Wersal of Faribault, Dennis (Barb) Wersal of Sanborn, Susan (Ralph) Hillesheim of Sleepy Eye, Jeff (Sandy) Wersal of New London, Lynette (Jeff) Carlson of Springfield, Steve (Heidi) Wersal of Sanborn, James (Cindy) Wersal of Chula Vista, CA, and Kari (Stan) Jung of Warner, SD; 17 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 8 step-grandchildren; brothers- Norbert Wersal of Springfield, and Raymond Wersal of Portland, OR; and sister Eleanor (Roland) Trebesch of Portland, OR. He was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn in 2009; his parents; and sister Isabelle Wersal.