Henry “Pete” Mavencamp, age 90, of St. Benedict’s Senior Community in Monticello, formerly of Maple Lake, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 9, at St. Timothy Catholic Church, Maple Lake with Fr. John Meyer and Fr. Mark Juettner as Celebrants. Burial will follow at St. Timothy Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday and from 9 to 10 a.m. on Monday, both at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Maple Lake. A prayer service will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home.
Henry Peter Mavencamp was born on Happy Knoll Farm, the Mavencamp family farm, to Henry Peter Mavencamp Sr. and Amelia (Latour) on Nov. 24, 1933, the fifth of nine children. He attended Maple Lake Elementary School and Maple Lake High School, graduating in 1951.
Following his graduation, Pete enlisted in the United States Navy, serving his country as a Naval firefighter. After being honorably discharged, he began employment at Lake Region Coop in Maple Lake, where he became manager of the petrol products division and LP gas service division for 23 years, retiring in 1978.
Pete met his wife to-be, Charlene Bruns, in church and two years later they were married on Aug. 20, 1955, at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Maple Lake. Their first home was on the Otto Bonnick farm in Maple Lake. In 1961, they purchased the original Mavencamp Farm from his father, Henry, becoming the third generation to own the home place, Happy Knoll Farm. He and Charlene continued the dairy business originated by Pete’s grandfather, Henry Peter, for the next 50 years. He continued to farm the land until he and Charlene retired in 2018, and Happy Knoll Dairy Farm was sold.
Pete was appointed the first Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Eucharist at St. Timothy’s Parish by Rev. Leo Byrne D.D., Archbishop of St. Paul. He also served 20 years as a trustee. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 131. He was chosen Grand Marshal of the Maple Lake St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He also served several years on the Maple Lake City Council and Maple Lake Public School Board of Education.
After retiring, Pete and Charlene enjoyed traveling, and wintered at their home in Texas. He loved hunting, especially deer hunting, and spending time at the cabin on Blueberry Hill, where he taught his children and grandchildren to hunt and spend time in the woods. He loved his family unconditionally, his religion, and his country, along with his Indian motorcycle. Nothing pleased him more than when there was a family gathering.
Pete is survived by his wife of 69 years, Charlene of Monticello; children, Cindy (Jerry) Miessen, Charlene (Roger) Wurm, Christine Dombrovski (David Barthel), Henry Peter (JoMarie) Mavencamp III, David (Debra) Mavencamp, Charles Mavencamp, and Robert Mavencamp; 12 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; sister, Kathleen (Tom) Mooney; brother-in-law, Kenny Rachel; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William and Jack Mavencamp; and sisters, Charlotte Sherrard, Mary Elliott, Genevieve Aritt, Barbara Koshiol, Emily Rachel.
Pete’s children will serve as urn bearers and his grandchildren will serve as honorary urn bearers. Krista Elsenpeter and Sarah Goelz will provide music for the service.
Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Maple Lake.
The obituary, guestbook, video tribute, and funeral webcast are online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.