Harry Aloysius Mentel, 90, of Austin died Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 at the Adams Healthcare Center.
Harry was born on Dec. 17, 1918 in Rose Creek, Minn., the first child of Fred and Mary (Majerus) Mentel. He graduated from Austin High School in 1938 and joined the George A. Hormel Company in 1942. During World War II he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed for 14 months at Pearl Harbor.
On Nov. 25, 1948 he married Stella M. Dolgner of Owatonna, Minn. They lived on a farm one mile east of the Austin airport for most of their 60 years of marriage and raised two daughters.
After receiving his Master’s license in electricity from the State of Minnesota, Harry was a private electrical contractor in the Austin area, in addition to working as an electrician at the Hormel Company. He retired from the plant in 1982 at the age of 63 and from private contracting in 1999 at age 80.
Harry was a large contributor to Catholic charities and to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
His hobbies included mechanics, writing poetry, communing with nature, and reading to enhance his knowledge. 
He enjoyed talking about politics and religion, and wished to be remembered as “God-fearing and never reluctant to speak out.”
Survivors include his wife Stella; daughters Stella (Tatsuroh) Yamazaki and Sherry Mentel; granddaughter Erika Yamazaki; and one sister Marcella Schwartz.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Kathryn Grosland; brother, Clarence Mentel; and his beloved dog Rusty.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper officiating. There will be a 7 p.m. rosary on Monday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. and also one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday. Military rites will be by American Legion Post #91 and V.F.W. Post #1216. Interment will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Meriden, Minn.’