On December 31, 2009, Robert and Richard Hantge of Hutchinson, Minnesota purchased the McBride Funeral Chapels in Glencoe, Norwood Young America and Lester Prairie. Their father, Everett Hantge, a graduate of the University of Minnesota Mortuary Science Class of 1962, had moved to Hutchinson in 1973, and opened his own funeral home. In 1978, he purchased the Dobratz Funeral Home from Donald Dobratz (nowthe Dobratz-Hantge Chapel in Hutchinson.) Following in his father’s footsteps, oldest son Robert joined him at the family firm in 1989, and younger son Richard joined them in 1991. Robert and Richard have continued their father’s commitment to provide professional quality funeral service to the communities they serve, and have been recognized by the National Funeral Directors Association for their Pursuit of Excellence.This building, which was called North School, is the Paul-McBride Funeral Chapel. In 1909, School District No. 61 and School District No. 38 were consolidated to form School District No. 78 and a new school was built. The old school building was sold to Fred Kloth to be used as a private residence and it was home for the Kloth family until 1946, when the estate of Fred Kloth sold the home to Vernon Larson, who retained ownership until 1948, at which time Raymond Block purchased the property and building to be used as a funeral home.
Minnesota was known as a territory in 1849, and in 1858, formally became the thirty second state admitted to the union. The City of Young America was founded in the year 1856. Norwood was founded in 1881. (The 2 cities became a single city in 1997.) In 1861, the first Stiftungsfest (Founders Day Celebration) was held. The Stiftungsfest highlights the German Heritage of the city. It is Minnesota’s oldest celebration and is held each year on the last full weekend in August. It was introduced to the community by the Men’s Chorus, an organization that played a very important part in the development ofNorwood Young America.
Kenneth Paul graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1962, with a degree in Mortuary Science. He worked for various funeral homes in Minnesota before he purchased the funeral home from Mr. and Mrs. Milton Quast on September 1, 1970. The Paul family resided in the apartment above the funeral home. In 1973, the addition was built, creating a larger foyer and chapel. In that same year, Kenneth purchased the funeral home in Lester Prairie, Minnesota.
Bruce McBride, a native of Windom, Minnesota graduated with the University of Minnesota Mortuary Science Class of 1974. He worked for the Hamlin-Hansen Funeral home in Moose Lake, Minnesota until 1977, when he and his wife, Suzanne purchased the Johnson Funeral Chapel in Glencoe, Minnesota. In 1993, they purchased the Paul Funeral Homes in Norwood Young America and Lester Prairie.The title to the property on which the funeral home is now located was transferred from Johann Feltmann and Elizabeth Feltmann to School District No. 61. in 1874, for the purpose of erecting a Public School. In 1884, as the village of Norwood grew, a new school was built. This was a two-story brick structure with one large classroom on each floor.
Mr. and Mrs. Block lived in the apartment above the funeral home and operated the funeral home until 1953, when they sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Milton Quast. Mr. and Mrs. Quast also resided in the apartment above the funeral home and during their ownership remodeled the funeral home and residence. On Sept. 1, 1970, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Quast sold the funeral home to Kenneth and Ellen Paul. The Paul family also resided in the apartment above the funeral home.
Memorial Service will be held Friday, May 26, 2023, 11:00 A.M., at Church of the Ascension in Norwood Young America with interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.
Myrtle Catherine Buesgens, age 98, of Norwood Young America, Minnesota, passed away Friday, May 19, 2023, at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. Rev.Paul L. McBride (85) elevated to eternity peacefully on December 25, 2020, at the Little Rock Veterans Hospital Hospice Care. He was preceded in death by his father and stepmother, Luther and Minnie McBride, Sr. and mother, Wille Ella Brown McBride; Siblings: Luther Jr., LeeArdis, and Lula (Brown) McBride; children Wanda Jean McBride Johnson and two sons who died as infants (Paul McBride Jr. and Paul McBride III). He leaves to continue his legacy: Nine children; Linda Nowden, Carolyn McBride, Rickey (Linda) McBride, and Paulette (Stanley) Nelson of Little Rock, Ark., Edith(Darrell)Parker, Lonoke, Ark., and Tony (Kettie) McBride, Sparks, Nevada; a loving aunt, Lucille Johnson of Little Rock, Ark.; brother, Clarence (Bessie) McBride of College Station, Ark.; 22 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. The family expresses great gratitude to Fox Ridge Assisted Living, Bryant, Ark., and Allay Nursing and Rehabilitation, Little Rock, Ark. A special thanks to the LRVA Dialysis Unit for the love and care provided during his last journey of life. Arrangements Entrusted to A Funeral Home & A Crematorium 4323 W 29th Street Little Rock (501)660-4323. In collaboration with our trusted flower partners, we offer a wide selection of funeral flowers to help you honor and cherish the memory of your loved one. Our dedicated florists, working closely with these partners, can create exquisite arrangements in a variety of styles, colors, and sizes that align with your preferences and requirements. We understand the significance of this moment and strive to provide you with compassionate assistance, ensuring that the floral tribute for your loved one is truly beautiful and meaningful.As part of the “Funeral Rule,” Paul – McBride Funeral Chapel is required to offer a General Price List (GPL) to anyone who asks for it. This list includes various expenses related to funeral services, such as transportation to the cemetery in or around Carver County, as well as costs for viewing or visitation services.
Anyone who visits Paul – McBride Funeral Chapel at 218 West Hill Street in Norwood, MN and asks about funeral arrangements is entitled to receive a free copy of the general price list. This applies to all individuals, regardless of whether they intend to purchase funeral services or not.Arranging a funeral can be both emotionally challenging and financially burdensome. Many people have little knowledge about the funeral industry, and in such difficult times, they may be vulnerable to being deceived or taken advantage of.The “Funeral Rule” was established in 1984 to ensure that all funeral homes, including Paul – McBride Funeral Chapel, provide customers with clear and accurate information about the products and services they offer. This includes providing price details over the phone upon request.
To protect consumers, Paul – McBride Funeral Chapel is obligated to follow the guidelines outlined in the “Funeral Rule”. Failure to comply with this rule could result in complaints being filed against the funeral home by the Federal Trade Commission.
Bruce McBride, a native of Windom, Minnesota, graduated with the University of Minnesota Mortuary Science Class of 1974. He worked for the Hamlin-Hansen Funeral Home in Moose lake, Minnesota until 1977, when he and his wife, Suzanne purchased the Johnson Funeral Chapel in Glencoe, Minnesota. The funeral home was then renamed to the Johnson-McBride Funeral Home. In 1993, Bruce and Suzanne expanded their business and purchased the Paul Funeral Homes in Norwood Young America and Lester Prairie.In 1950, the funeral business was taken out of the corporation by Gilbert Weise and became a separate establishment. Gilbert continued to operate the funeral home until 1973, when it was purchased by Kenneth Paul.
The original funeral home in Lester Prairie was owned by A. G. Mueller. There is little record of his ownership or how he came to Lester Prairie. In 1917, A. G. Mueller sold his undertaking business to Paul Weise and John Kuhlmann, (Weise’s father-in-law) partners and entrepreneurs, since 1902. Together they owned and operated several businesses in Lester Prairie, including a hardware store.
After Weise and Kuhlmann purchased the undertaking business they moved the caskets to the second floor of their store and used the room formerly used to display pianos as a funeral parlor. In 1927, the firm of Weise and Kuhlmann incorporated and although both of the senior members had passed away Mr. Weise’s sons, Gilbert and Walter attended the University of Minnesota and became licensed embalmers and funeral directors and continued to serve the community of Lester Prairie.
