John Altenhofen

John Joseph Altenhofen was born on December 27, 1930 in Random Lake, Wisconsin to Alphonse and Marcella (Dietzler) Altenhofen. He graduated from Random Lake High School in 1949 and attended Marquette University to study business. John married Margaret Krier in 1949. The Altenhofen family moved west to Long Prairie, MN, Aberdeen, SD, and eventually to Lewistown, MT where John ran the Central Montana Livestock Auction with his father and brothers. In 1971 John moved to Springfield, MN to run the Montana Feeder Cattle Company. John married Jane Jenzen on October 22, 1974. They lived on a farm site south of Springfield where John operated a confinement hog operation for several years. In 1976 John was hired as cattle salesman and field rep for the Lamberton Stockyards in Lamberton, MN and worked the southwestern part of the state until retirement in 2012. John was very active in the Jaycees in South Dakota and Montana and served as the South Dakota State Jaycee President for several years. In 1968 John was selected to appear in the edition of "Outstanding Personalities of the West and Midwest" in recognition of his outstanding service to community and state. John also served as president of the Montana Livestock Markets Association and director of the Montana Beef Council. During his many years in the livestock industry he developed many lasting friendships that also happened to be loyal customers. Every Christmas he would hand write hundreds of personal messages to customers and friends. As a member of St. Raphael Catholic Church, John served as Lector and Rosary leader and always volunteered to help Jane and the liturgy team decorate for Christmas and Easter. John had a strong devotion to St. Jude and prayed the Rosary every night on his drive home from work for the intention of his family and anyone in need. John loved to work outdoors, meticulously mowing and trimming the lawn, washing windows, and taking care of the flower beds and garden. He had a love for animals and over the years raised rabbits, silver fox, horses, cattle, hogs, cats and dogs. He would not leave for Midnight Mass until all pens of animals had fresh bedding and new toys to play with. John was a big fan of cowboy poetry, especially Baxter Black, and he loved to watch rodeos. He enjoyed listening to classical music, especially the Nutcracker Ballet, and he loved listening to Jane play piano. He knew all the classical composers and their major works. John loved his family dearly and encouraged his children to work hard, take care of family, keep smiling and trust in God. His greatest treasures were his wife, children, and grandchildren. John is deeply missed and loved by his wife and best friend, Jane, his 5 children: Mary Jo Landru of Littleton, CO, John (Michele) Altenhofen of Bailey, CO, Mikel (Kathy) Altenhofen of Paonia, CO, Kay Lynn Altenhofen (and friend Kay Hoff) of Lolo, MT, and Nathan Altenhofen of Gardendale, TX. John adored his 6 grandchildren: Lindsay (Ralph) Muggeo of Cave Creek, AZ, Adam (Kara) Altenhofen of Denver, CO, Matthew (Kate) Altenhofen of Prairie Village, KS, Alyssa Altenhofen (and friend Jake) of Bonita Springs, FL, Dustin Altenhofen of Bailey, CO, and Christian Altenhofen of Gardendale, TX. John was blessed with 5 great-grandchildren: Anthony Muggeo, Jared and Bridget Altenhofen, Sam and Annie Altenhofen. John is survived by brothers Tom (Dotty) Altenhofen of Lewistown, MT and Jim (Gloria) Altenhofen of Miles City, MT, sister-in-law Deb Salonek of Springfield, MN, brother-in-laws Kerry (Barb) Jenzen of Springfield, MN, and Hunter (Kristy) Jenzen of Waseca, MN. His nieces and nephews are Kari Altenhofen of Missoula, MT and son Walker, Kevin (Shelly) Altenhofen of St. Michael, MN and children Tanner, Gracie and Chloe, Kelly Altenhofen (and friend Edmonia) of Lewistown, MT and daughter Kelsey, Luke (Heather) Altenhofen of Billings, MT and children Conner and Evelyn, June McDoneld and son Donovan, Tianna Salonek of St. Cloud, MN, Zach Salonek (and friend Cici) of Springfield, MN, Drake Jenzen (and friend Melanie) of Springfield, MN and son Braiden, Jesses, Ashton, Trey, and Eli Jenzen all of Waseca, MN. John will be missed by mother and father-in-law Adeline and Elwin Schubbe of Springfield, MN, and mother-in-law Linda Jenzen of Waseca, MN. Preceding John in death were his parents, father-in-law James Jenzen, son-in-law Alan Landru, brother-in-law Todd Salonek, and first wife Margaret Krier Bloxham. First Visitation 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Friday, June 13, 2014 Sturm Funeral Home, Springfield Chapel 407 N. Jackson Springfield, Minnesota, United States 56087 Second Visitation 8:30 am - 9:30 am Saturday, June 14, 2014 St. Raphael's Catholic Church, Springfield, MN 112 West Van Dusen Springfield, Minnesota, United States 56087 Service Information 9:30 am Saturday, June 14, 2014 St. Raphael's Catholic Church, Springfield, MN 112 West Van Dusen Springfield, Minnesota, United States 56087