Anthony Donald Bechtold

Anthony D. Bechtold, age 85, of Fairhaven, died Wed., June 13, 2018 at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Wed., June 20, 2018 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, Annandale with Fr. Andrew Stueve as Celebrant. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday, both at the church. Private burial will be held at Fairhaven Cemetery. A prayer service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the church.

Anthony Donald Bechtold was born September 7, 1932 on the family farm near St. Joseph, Minnesota to Aloys and Theresa (Koltes) Bechtold. Anthony grew up near St. Joseph, where he also attended grade school. He eventually furthered his education with the American School of Chicago, before attending Niw Electronics and Anoka Ramsey Community College. On May 24, 1955, Anthony was united in marriage to Mary Ann “Marilyn” Krausert at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud, Minnesota. During his 16 years at Honeywell, one of Tony’s responsibilities was to assist in the assembling of the first Apollo Spacecraft. Upon moving on from Honeywell, Tony worked as a driver’s education instructor. He then devoted the next 22 years of his working career as a supervisor of data collections for Metropolitan Transit Commission. During his time with MTC, Anthony was responsible for collecting data, as well as checking bus service in the shopping centers and the downtown areas. Anthony and Mary Ann made their homes in various communities over the years, with many years spent in St. Joseph and Blaine. Anthony and Mary Ann moved to their current home in Fairhaven in 1993, just prior to Anthony’s retirement on September 7, 1994. He also taught 55 Alive to seniors in the Kimball and Annandale communities. Anthony was member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Kimball and St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Annandale. In his spare time, Tony enjoyed spending time in his garden, feeding the birds, baking Juneberry pies, and fixing puzzles. Tony’s passion was being on the lake year-round catching fish, a pastime he shared with his wife, children and grandchildren.

Anthony is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Ann of Fairhaven; children, Mary (Larry) Woodard of Jupiter, FL, Nancy (Tim) Larson of Minneapolis, Steve (Deb) Bechtold of Blaine, and Bruce (Robin) Bechtold of Annandale; 8 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; siblings, Frances (Phil) Goerger of Waite Park, Theresa Meyer of St. Cloud, Raymond (Barbara) Bechtold, Andrew (Flossy Heim) Bechtold, Lucy Laudenbach, Monica (Marvin) Stanger, and Dorothy Schulte, all of St. Joseph; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Anthony was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Douglas Bechtold, and siblings Aloyisius Bechtold Jr. and Irene Dwyer.

Tony’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. St. Ignatius Music Ministry will provide music for the service. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Annandale.

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