Chester “Chet” Bahneman, age 84 of Hudson, retired Hudson Police Sergeant died Wednesday March 27, 2013 at Regions Hospital following a brief respiratory illness. Chet was born on September 15, 1928 in Bayport, Minnesota; the son of Chester and Alice (Lohmann) Bahneman. Being raised in Bayport, he attended elementary school there prior to graduating from Stillwater High School. As a young boy, he would frequently find himself helping his uncle who owned a service garage. Here, he learned the art of auto mechanics. On September 2, 1950, he was united in marriage to Barbara Jean Myrvold at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Bayport. This union would be further blessed with children Jim, Debbie, Steve, and Mike. He worked at Buerkle Buick as a mechanic while answering the call to his country. He enlisted in the Armed Forces where he proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned as a mechanic at Buerkle before purchasing the Shell Station in Hudson (Vine and 2nd St). Chet had his hands in many different venues. While running the Shell Station, he also drove school bus and was active with the Hudson Volunteer Ambulance. It was in the early 1960’s when Chet followed his dream. He was one of a few who belonged to the Hudson Police Department Auxiliary. They served as law enforcement, security, and even Civil Defense for various events. In 1967, he was rewarded by becoming a full time police officer. He was soon promoted to a juvenile officer and would work his way through the ranks to become Sergeant for the department. He would retire from Hudson Police in 1985. But retirement didn’t sit well with Chet. He stayed active by working as a videographer for Northwest Court Reporting and later security for the newly built Hudson dog racing park; St. Croix Meadows. Chet also had a love of tinkering with cars and engines. He thoroughly enjoyed stock car racing on the St. Croix River and Cedar Lake Speedway.

Chet will forever live on in the hearts of his children Jim (Pat) Bahneman of Hudson, Debbie Muhlenkord of Hudson, Steve (Michele) Bahneman of Hudson, Mike (Chris) Bahneman of Hudson, grandchildren Jason (Jayne) Bahneman, Cassie (Wayne) Bakken, Kris (James) Harker, Mandi (Collin) Nelson, Samantha Muhlenkord, Lori (Chad) Papineau, Lisa (Jason) Smith, Amy (Mike) Bowen, Mitch Bahneman, Megan Bahneman, Weston Latham, Brodrick Meyers, Brandon Meyers, many great grandchildren, sister Janice (Larry) Carlson, sister-in-law Dorothy Chappell, his special caregivers Mike, Tammy, Corrie, and his favorite Boxer companion ”Gertie””. He is preceded in death by his wife Barbara and sister Mary Collins.

Funeral Celebration Of Life will be 11AM Thursday April 4 at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Hudson with Pastor Brian Ferguson officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in the Willow River Cemetery in Hudson. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 4PM to 7Pm at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Hudson and one hour prior to the service at church on Thursday. Memorials are preferred.