Lynn Edward DeRemer, 94, of Austin, Minn., died Friday morning, Sept. 14, 2012 at Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin from complications of pneumonia.

Lynn was born May 7, 1918, in Nevada Township, Lyle, Minn., to Arthur and Gladys DeRemer. He attended school there through the eighth grade and worked on the family farm. He continued farming until he was hired at the Hormel Plant on New Year’s Eve, 1939.

Lynn married the love of his life, Rita Adella Schwartz, on Feb. 20, 1939. When WWII broke out, he took leave from Hormel and entered the Army Air Corps. While training at Buckley Airfield in Denver, Colo., he contracted rheumatic fever. After his recovery, Lynn joined the military police until his honorable discharge in September 1944. Lynn returned to Austin and his job at Hormel, where he continued 41 years of service and retired in 1980.

Lynn loved to deer hunt and fish. He was an avid cribbage player, card player and a skillful woodworker. He spent many hours in his workshop and took great pride in his creations and craftsmanship. Lynn loved gardening, putzing in the yard, taking Rita to dinner and dancing on Saturday nights. He especially loved and was very proud of his nine children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Lynn worked several jobs while the kids were growing up and became actively involved in Queen of Angels Church and School, the ARC of Mower County where he served as president and board member for several years, Oak Grove Activity Center, Wheels in Motion and the Senior Citizens Center where he drove a bus for 15 years. He and Rita were also members of the American Legion, VFW, Moose and Eagles Clubs for many years.

One of his greatest privileges was being a member of the 2010 Honor Flight to Washington D.C.

Survivors include his wife of 73 years, Rita, Austin; nine children, Sharon (Roland) Piller, Wausau, Wis., Janice (Bill) Beimdiek, Park Rapids, Minn., Richard (Carol) DeRemer, Mendota Heights, Minn., Deanna “Dee” Hanson, Wheat Ridge, Colo., Kathie (Gregg) Bellrichard, San Antonio, Texas, Mary (Michael) Zehner, Maple Grove, Minn., Suzanne “Suzie” Wagner, Austin, Debra “Debbie” DeRemer, Faribault, Minn., Regina “Gina” (Ed) Budde, St. Michael, Minn.; 25 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Paul, Clifford and Dean; sister, Vera; grandson, Scott Beimdiek; granddaughter, Sara Bellrichard.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at Queen of Angels Catholic Church with Father Dale Tupper and Father Paul Nelson officiating. There will be a 4 p.m. rosary and a 5:30 p.m. wake service on Tuesday at Mayer Funeral Home, where friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. and also one hour before the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post No. 91. The casket bearers will be Larry Schwartz, Roland Piller, Mike Zehner, Ed Budde and Richard DeRemer. Memorials are preferred to the ARC of Austin.