A resident of Prior Lake, William “Bill” Mesenbrink, age 88, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 19, 2017 at the Belle Plaine Lutheran Home. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 12 noon, with a time of gathering starting at 10:00AM all at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church,
5634 Luther Road, Prior Lake, MN. Pastor Bruce Laabs will preside. Pallbearers for Bill will be his grandchildren. He will be laid to rest at St Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery with the Prior Lake Honor Guard providing full military honors.
On March 27, 1929 in Chanhassen, Edward and Marie (Techam) Mesenbrink celebrated the birth of their son, William Edward Mesenbrink. He was one of seven children. Along with his siblings, Bill attended grade school in Chaska. As a young boy he would ride his pony to the lake and fish right off his back. Bill had a strong adoration for all animals.
The family lived by Lake Minnewaska until they purchased a farm south of Shakopee when Bill was 12 years old. During high school Bill excelled athletically, especially playing the tackle position in football. Following his high school graduation in 1947, Bill continued working on the farm raising Holstein dairy cows and his teams of work horses. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950 and served as the crew chief for a B-36 “Peacemaker” until he was honorably discharged in 1954.
Throughout Bill’s life he was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Prior Lake. It was at church Bill met the love of his life-Betty Lou Busse. In the middle of a snow storm on February 4, 1955, Bill and Betty exchanged wedding vows at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. This union was blessed with four boys.
Bill’s family was the most important thing in his life. He shared his pastimes and interests with his sons and eventually his grandchildren. Together they enjoyed spearing on many northern lakes and hunting coon, squirrel, deer, pheasant, waterfowl and the occasional gopher from the window of his pickup. Bill taught his grandchildren to drive (even a bus on occasion) and that the best color for a tractor is green. One of the most important lessons Bill shared with his family was his work ethic.
While Bill farmed most of his life, he also made time for other jobs. In 1969 he began driving bus and in 1971 purchased the company from Harry and Mabel Klingberg. He drove bus until 1994 when he sold the company, but continued subbing for many more years. After selling the family farm in 1970, Bill continued to farm with his son until 1991. He also helped with construction work with Bohnsack & Hennen Excavating, and eventually with his son’s business, Mesenbrink Construction.
Bill was hard working and friendly. A 15-minute trip to the store could become an hour trip when Bill started talking to friends. Bill’s kindness and easygoing ways will be cherished forever by his wife of 62 years, Betty; sons, John (Mary) Mesenbrink, Tom Mesenbrink, Bob (Lori) Mesenbrink,
Jeff (Tammy) Mesenbrink,; grandchildren, Jessica (Nick) Arneson, Angella Mesenbrink, Jenna (Justin) Bohm, Alex Mesenbrink, Brittney (Pete) Holthaus, Austin Mesenbrink; great grandchildren Aveyda Layla and Bodey Arneson, Crew Holthaus; sister, Elaine Bush; brother-in-law, Herbert Weckman; sister-in-law’s, Jenny Mesenbrink, Carol Busse; many relatives and friends.
Bill is reunited in heaven with his parents Ed and Marie and siblings, Harriet (John) Henkes, Elizabeth Weckman, Richard Mesenbrink, Doris Mesenbrink, Rose (Bob) Busse; brother-in-law’s William Busse and Joe Bush.
