Erlin LeRoy Nuessmeier, age 85, of Hudson, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2017 at the Comforts of Home Assisted Living in Hudson, WI.

Erlin was born on July 22, 1931 in Gibbon, MN to Otto and Olga (Buerkle) Nuessmeier. He grew up in Gibbon and graduated from Gibbon High School in 1949. Erlin learned the skill of welding at a trade school in North Dakota. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After his military service, Erlin returned to Gibbon where he assembled and repaired farm machinery. He worked in construction, starting as a carpenter building houses and making cabinets, and later worked for the DiaBond Company producing grinding wheels. Erlin was a devoted husband to his wife, Beverly, and was always there for his family.

Erlin was fond of tinkering in his shop and keeping his tools sharp. He was a gifted craftsman and a jack of all trades. Erlin liked making things out of wood and often refused to buy something if he thought he could make it himself. His workshop is full of the many hand-made tools that he had put together. Erlin found relaxation while feeding the birds and taking care of his vegetable and flower gardens. He enjoyed going to tractor shows and reading books about fixing things and home-made remedies, often retaining the knowledge until someone came to him with a problem.

Erlin was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Hudson, where he had served on the church’s Building Committee, Maintenance and Finance Committee, and as a Chairman of the Board of Elders. He also volunteered with the Builders for Christ organization where he traveled and helped to erect churches and buildings for God’s use.

Erlin is survived by his wife, Beverly (Brown Pankow); step-daughter, Cynthia (Rev. Dale) Schliewe; step-son, Cal (Ann) Blaksley; grandchildren, Matthew (Shawn), Mark (Shelly), Miriam, and Michael; great-grandchildren, Addison, Mollie and Greta Schliewe, and Alexander Moldenhauer; siblings, Eldon (Lyn) Nuessmeier and Lila (Frank) Roux; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; previous wives, Helen (White) and Sharon (Robbins); and step-son, Ricky White.

Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 712 Grandview Drive, Hudson. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Interment at Willow River Cemetery.