Services for Ferdinand “Ferdie” Mandt

Ferdinand “Ferdie” Mandt, age 96, of Bird Island died Saturday, June 15, 2019 at Mount Olivet Careview Home in Minneapolis.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, June 27, 2019 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bird Island with Rev. George Schmit as celebrant.  Burial is in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday at the church.  Arrangements by Dirks-Blem Funeral Service, Olivia, MN. Memorials are preferred to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bird Island, or Mount Olivet Careview Home in Minneapolis.
Ferdinand Albert Mandt was born July 20, 1922 in Deep Park Township, Pennington County, Minnesota to Osmund and Ella (Hedlund). He attended school at the Northwest School of Agriculture graduating as valedictorian of his class. He was unable to attend college as he was needed to work the family farm. He married Mary Jane Fortier on November 15, 1945. They bought a farm in Brooks, Minnesota and were blessed with five children. 
Ferdie farmed and later accepted a position as manager of the Brooks Farmers Union Service Station. He was a hard worker and many times would deliver fuel to families in the early morning winter hours. They moved to Thief River Falls in 1967 where he managed the Cenex station. He retired in 1983. 
Following his retirement, he taught himself the art of woodworking. He made many large pieces of furniture, including an oak dining room table and 6 chairs, and a beautiful cedar chest. He then learned the art of Intarsia, an ancient form of wood laying, using a scroll saw. He made many beautiful pieces, giving them to his family as Christmas gifts. His signature piece is of The Last Supper, a masterpiece of over 800 pieces and 15 kinds of wood.
He was also an avid golfer, and could be found at the golf course almost every day between April and October. He was proud of his hole-in-one. He was a hardworking, kind, compassionate, honest and fair, grateful man who loved his family. He would often say he was such a rich man because he had such a wonderful family. 
Ferdie is survived by his children: David Mandt (and Susan Kilian) of Mendota Heights, Richard (and Gaye) Mandt of Bloomington, Suzanne Fleegel of Bloomington, and Kevin (and Carrie Kay) Mandt of Puyallup, WA; his grandchildren: Kate (and Pete) Whaley, Rebecca Mandt, Jennifer (and Sean) Clark, Kristen Mandt, Jessica (and Bill) Druliner, Stephen (and Heidi) Mandt, Sarah (and Lee) Averbeck, Tim (and Kristin) Fleegel, Bryan (and Tanya) Fleegel, Brenda Mandt and Laura Mandt; his great-grandchildren: Christopher, Connor, and Colton Clark, Matthew, Marisol, and Alaina Druliner, Ella Mandt, Sonja and Flora Mandt, Sophie, Elin, Grayson, and Amelia Fleegel, Jack Fleegel, Fritz, Elise, and Charlie Averbeck, and Lucas Whaley; his sister Gladys Ackerman of Los Alamitos, CA and his sister-in-law Therese Radniecki of Thief River Falls, and many nieces and nephews.  Ferdie was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Jane Mandt; his son Roger Mandt and ten siblings.
Blessed be his memory.

Richards Publishing

P.O. Box 159
239 2nd Ave
Gonvick, MN 56644
Telephone: (218) 487-5225
email: richards@gvtel.com

 

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