Wilfred "Willie" Kirschstein, 60, of New Ulm died Saturday at the New Ulm Medical Center in New Ulm after a courageous battle with cancer for 3 years.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Friday, July 15 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm with Monsignor John A. Richter celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery at a later date with full military honors will be conducted by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard.

Visitation will be 4 - 8 PM Thursday and 7:30 - 10 AM Friday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm. There will be a parish prayer service at 7:30 PM Thursday at the funeral home.

Willie is survived by his wife, Mary Kirschstein of New Ulm; a daughter and son-in-law, Molly and Josh Jacobs of New Ulm; a son and daughter-in-law, Philip and Amy Kirschstein of New Ulm; grandchildren, Brody and Ike Kirschstein, and Adeline Jacobs; sisters and brothers-in-law, Delores Zuhlsdorf and her special friend Jerry Seifert of Sleepy Eye, Virginia Bartlett of Hudson, Wisconsin, LaVonne and Richard Stadick of Glenwood, Janet Kirschstein of Minneapolis; a brother and sister-in-law, Wallace and Lois Kirschstein of Morgan; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jerome and Lucilla Schultz of New Ulm; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Gene and Cindy Schultz of New Ulm, JoAnn and Joel Kamerud of Hutchinson, Roselyn Doerre and her special friend Rod Miller of New Ulm, Jerry and Theresa Schultz of New Ulm; a good friend, Scott Bode of New Ulm; and by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Mary Anna sister, Shirley Hoffbeck; a sister-in-law, Mary Kirschstein; and many aunts and uncles.

Wilfred Charles Kirschstein was born December 31, 1950 in Sleepy Eye to Henry and Irene (Cook) Kirschstein. He attended Sleepy Eye schools and was a graduate of Sleepy Eye Public High School. Willie served in the U.S. Army as a medic in Seoul, Korea. He was united in marriage to Mary Schultz on April 26, 1980 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Willie was employed at the National T Grocery Store in Sleepy Eye, Bridge Construction, 3M for 28 years until retiring in 2006 and then for Domeier's German Store. Willie enjoyed his family and friends, coffee at DJ's, playing concertina, cooking and trying new recipes, and making horseradish and beef jerky. He also enjoyed working in the garage, particularly on his 1958 Star Chief Pontiac. Willie was a real handyman. His contagious laugh and wonderful spirit will be greatly missed by his family, friends, neighbors and his favorite cat, Billie Jo.

He was a member of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, a lifetime member of the Sleepy Eye VFW and the Seifert-Bianchi American Legion Post #132 in New Ulm.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to New Ulm Area Catholic Schools or to the American Cancer Society.