Andrew Schoenbauer

Andrew Schoenbauer, age 90, of New Prague, died Saturday, February 21, 2015, at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina.  Andy was born October 21, 1924 in Helena Township, Scott County, MN to William and Walburga (Busch) Schoenbauer.  He attended St. Benedict Parochial School and entered the US Army Air Corps.  After active service (he would remain in the Army Reserves for almost 20 years),  Andy attended Dunwoody Technical School and married Winifred C. Spielman on August 3, 1946 at St. Mark’s Church in Shakopee.  Following marriage, Andy worked as a bartender at Hollywood Inn in Spring Lake.  The couple moved to New Prague in 1949, and Andy worked at a number of jobs.  He owned and operated a blacksmith shop, worked for Swift Packing Company, worked as a mechanic for Glendenning,  owned and operated milk routes for the New Prague Creamery.  He then worked construction with Mortenson Construction and was a contractor for Minnesota Harvestore in Waconia until 1984.  Finally, Andy drove bus for the New Prague School District until 2014; during that time he also worked for the New Prague Golf Club.

Andy  belonged to the Knights of Columbus, was an usher at St. Wenceslaus Church, was a member of the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association), and the NRA. Andy loved flying, attaining his pilot’s license early and maintaining it throughout his life.  He started out building model airplanes, went to radio-controlled planes, and then finally built a gyrocopter and was in the process of building another plane.  At one point, he was a part owner of two planes.  He had breakfast every Saturday in Faribault with his flying buddies.  Andy also loved anything mechanical, even going so far as to build a hydraulic lift to improve his wife’s mobility.  Andy loved his family and grandkids and was also loved by the many children who called him “grandpa” from his bus routes.

Andy is survived by his children, Andrew (& partner, Cindy Novotny) Schoenbauer of Champlin, Wayne (& Emma) Schoenbauer of Colorado Springs, CO, Debra (& Mark) Salisbury of Prior Lake, Michael (& Cindy) Schoenbauer of Belle Plaine, Paul (& partner, Tracey Stewart) of Lakeville; brothers, Ralph (& Audrey) of Colorado Springs, CO, Gilbert (& Shirley) of Jordan, Jerry (& Pat) of Houston, TX; sisters, Mildred (& Richard) Dehlinger of St. Paul, Carol (& John) McDonald of St. Paul, Lillian Gravlin of Faribault, Shirley (D) Schwisow of Sarasota, FL; sisters-in-law, Rose Ann Schoenbauer of Hopkins, Kathy Schoenbauer of Crystal; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his wife, Winnie on May 16, 2013;  daughter-in-law, June Schoenbauer; parents; siblings, William, Helen, and Maryann all in infancy and brothers, Melvin & Wallace Schoenbauer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, February 26, 2015 at 9:30 AM at Bruzek Funeral Home with Father Kevin Clinton officiating.  Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4 – 8 PM and Thursday morning from 7:30 – 9:30 AM.  Military Honors will be conducted after Mass at the funeral home and interment will take place at a later time at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.  Lunch will follow Mass at the KC Hall in New Prague.