Arthur A. Redig

WINONAArthur "Art" Anthony Redig, 95 years and a lifelong resident of Winona, died peacefully Sunday, August 18, 2013 at Saint Anne Extended Healthcare.Art was born June 12, 1918 in Winona to Michael and Anna (Renk) Redig. He was born and raised in Winona and attended school through the 8th grade. In 1935, as a teenager, he was an enthusiastic participant in the second Soil Conservation project in the US, which demonstrated the importance of keeping the fertile soil where it belongs so future generations will be able to produce their food. Art was in the United States Army from October 1940 until Oct 1945. In the fall of 1948, Art was introduced to Lorraine Kallas when she was helping at his brother's farm, and they were united in marriage on June 1, 1950 in South Dakota.Arthur was a promoter of cooperatives and was on the board of several, including the Winona County Shippers Association, Tri-County Co-op Oil, and Winona County American Dairy Association. He was also active in parish affairs and was president of the Catholic United Financials St Joseph/Elizabeth Society, Council #2 for many years. He was instrumental in bringing Land Stewardship Project to Lewiston in 1982. As an officer in Winona County Farmers Union, he was on the MFU State Board for years. One of Art's proudest accomplishments was sending all eleven of his children through Cotter High School. He and Lorraine also hosted several foreign exchange students from 1974 to 1982 and were foster parents to over 20 kids, mostly teenagers, from 1980 to 1986. In October 1986, Art and Lorraine were funded to go to the Philippines on a fact finding tour to explore the connections between the United States farm crisis and hunger in the third world. Art played an integral role in establishing the SE MN Rural Education and Resource Center in St. Charles. Five centers were established in various parts of MN to assist the farm advocates in their efforts to help farmers save their farms, homes, jobs and retirement. The Resource Center in St. Charles is the only one left. Art was also an active member of the American Legion and served as Chaplain, provided military honors with their honor guard, and helped with monthly fish fries. On June 23, 2013, Art was honored to be one of the marshals in the Steamboat day's Parade in Winona. For several years, Art also drove people to appointments for SEMCAC.He was a man of few words, but he loved his family and lit up when he saw children and grandchildren. Art is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lorraine Redig; children, Jeanne (Bob) Bilder, Ramona (Ed Lagace) Redig, Marilyn (Gene) Hostetler, Sharon (Dan) Madison, Nick (Lynn Hickish) Redig, Michele (Joe) Thill, John Redig, Tim (Melanny) Redig, and Deanna (Bob) Brekke; 19 grandchildren, Forrest, Adrian, Derek, Amanda, Jessica, Rebecca, Michael, Rachel, Arthur, Anna, Amber, Scott, Nathaniel, Natasha, Allyce, Wesley, Rianna, Jerry, and Jesse; 5 great-grandchildren, Danny, James, Olivia, Isiah, and Callen; and daughter-in-law, Carmell Redig. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Peter Redig; daughter, June Redig and her son, Andy Petersen; brothers, Gerold and Wilfrid Redig; and sisters, Henrietta Redig and Barbara Rivers.A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4-8pm on Thursday, August 22, 2013 at Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Goodview. A prayer service will begin at 4pm, followed by a time of sharing. Memorial Mass will be held at 4pm on Friday, August 23, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wilson with a visitation from 2:30pm-3:45pm. The Most Reverend Bishop Bernard Harrington will preside with Monsignor Roy Literski and Reverend Timothy Hall as concelebrants. Following Mass, full military honors will be provided by the American Legion Leon J. Wetzel Post #9. He donated his body to Mayo Clinic, so burial will take place at a later date in the Wilson Catholic Cemetery.The family prefers memorials be directed to the Land Stewardship Project, SE MN Rural Education and Resource Center, American Legion Post 9, or Catholic Charities.Please share a memory of Art with his family, sign the online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com.
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