Celestine "Sal" Mischke

Celestine John Mischke

(Sal’s Sharpening Service)

St. Paul Park, Minnesota

Age 88

Celestine John Mischke (Sal’s Sharpening Service) died peacefully at his home on October 4, 2018, in the presence of his loving family after a short battle with cancer.  Celestine was born April 24, 1930, at the Mischke Family Farm in Buckman Township, Morrison County, Minnesota, son to the late August and Eleanor (Pawlu) Mischke.  He grew up on the farm and attended Country School and St. Michael’s Catholic School through the 8th Grade.  He was united in marriage to Lorraine Vander Heyden on June 6, 1959, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Buckman.  A few years later, they purchased a home in St. Paul Park, Minnesota.

From 1955 – 1965, he worked at Swift & Company in South Saint Paul.  While laid off, he worked at Bailey Nursery, sold Watkin products, and worked for Robinson Dry Cleaner delivering and picking up dry cleaner goods.  “Sal’s Sharpening Service” a hobby which turned into a business, began in 1965 and continued until his death.  He worked as a custodian for School District #833 in South Washington County from 1965 – 1992.

He was a multi-talented man who enjoyed camping, reading, inventing things, and sharing his hobbies, stories, and jokes.  His musical talent on a variety of instruments led to playing with several bands: Jolly Vagabonds, Country Cousins, Jumping Jacks, and Polka Play Boys.  He loved playing the piano and the sousaphone the most.  He was also a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church since 1960, and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.  His motto to live by was: “Keep the Faith, obey the ten commandments, and love God”.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Lorraine, of 59 years; seven children:  John (Gloria) Mischke of Roberts, Wisconsin; Sharon (Gardner) Ornquist of St. Paul Park, Minnesota; Catherine (Charles) Dobihal of Maplewood, Minnesota; Gary (Linda) Mischke of Hastings, Minnesota; Carol (Ken) Taft of Beecher, Illinois; Glenn (Candy) Mischke of Red Wing, Minnesota; and Lori (James) Edelyn of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Included are his siblings:  Luella Bialke of Little Falls, Minnesota; Laura Duscher of South Saint Paul, Minnesota; Father Gerald Mischke of St. Cloud, Minnesota; Shirley Houghton of St. Cloud, Minnesota; Betty (Al) Pekarek of Pierz, Minnesota, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.   Preceded in death by his parents August and Eleanor Mischke, and twin brother Sylvester (Rosemary) Mischke.

Visitation 5-8 PM with rosary service at 7:30 PM, Thursday, October 11, 2018 at Kok Funeral Home, 1201 Portland Ave., St. Paul Park, MN, 55071. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 AM with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM, Friday, October 12, 2018 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 920 Holley Ave., St. Paul Park, MN, 55071.

Interment will follow at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Cemetery.