Vincent A. Ashelin

Vincent A. Ashelin died peacefully, with family present, on November 3, 2010, at Lake Winona Manor. Vincent Anthony Ashelin was born on May 16, 1923, to Julius and Margaret (Thesing) Ashelin at French Island, LaCrosse, Wisconsin. He attended schools in Wisconsin and Minnesota, graduating in 1941 from Lewiston High School. After spending time working locally and in South Dakota, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, serving from May, 1944 until July, 1946. He served his country during WWII in Saipan, Okinawa, and Tinian. He then participated in the occupation of Japan at Nagasaki as a weapons inspector. Upon his honorable discharge from the service, Vincent purchased a farm and began his life of stewardship of the land. On May 14, 1949, he married Lorraine Wantock at Sacred Heart Church in Pine Creek, Wisconsin. From this union four children were born. Vincent had a full, rich work life, with highlights of farming and that of a professional glazier of stained glass church windows. One of his earliest memorable work experiences was that of apprentice to Chef Kelly at the Oaks Supper Club. Vincent's life was abundantly filled with diverse interests, including carpentry and woodworking, nature and gardening, and cooking and winemaking. He was a member of Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona and a past member of the Winona Flower and Garden Club and the Hillsdale School Board. Vincent is survived by his loving family, his wife, Lorraine, of 61 years, children, Cynthia (Gary) Gaspar, of Sioux Falls, SD, Steven of Minneapolis, and Keith, of Chicago, and grandchildren, Neil Gaspar and Carl Gaspar. Other surviving relatives are siblings, Rose (Sylvester) Erpelding of Winona, Tom (Polly), of Tucson, AZ, and Evelyn (Jack) Duellman, of Minnesota City, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Donald, and siblings Ray, Ted, Vic, David, Romie, George, and Wayne Ashelin, and sister, Bernadine Kammerer. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday, November 6th, at noon, at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, with the Reverend Richard Colletti officiating. Burial will take place at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN, at a later date. Friends may call on Friday at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart from 5-8:00pm where there will be a Christian Prayer Service at 7:30pm. Friends may also call one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion Post #9 of Winona immediately following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers the family kindly suggests memorials may be directed to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Lake Winona Manor or the donor's choice.Please share a memory of Vincent with the family or sign his online guestbook at: www.hofffuneral.com