Andrew Noll

Just two months shy of his 90th birthday, Andrew Herbert Noll died Wednesday, October 17th at Saint Elizabeth’s Health Care Center, Wabasha, MN. The youngest of five boys, Andrew was born to Louis and Elizabeth (Averbeck) Noll on December 19, 1928 at their City of Alma home. When Andrew was eight months old, his father sold the Hardware store and bought the 120 acre Joseph Gobar farm on the blufftop above Alma. Andrew lived there for the next 77 years! Andrew and his brothers often walked to school by going down the bluffside on an old dugway through the woods. In 1946, he graduated as class president from Alma High School. With a love for farming, Andrew purchased the farm from his parents in 1947. On October 1, 1949 he married Jane Herold. Together they provided a loving and wonderful life for their children teaching them work ethic, Christian values, and respect for the land. Andrew wasn’t known for his domestic skills, but whenever his wife was ill he would make her toast and sit by her side. Andrew was a pioneer in so many ways. In the 1950s he started what would become a long string of conservation practices on his Buffalo County farm, putting in the first contour strips in 1954. Years later his sons partnered with him to continue and grow the farming operation. Since 1976 it’s been known as Nolls’ Dairy Farm. Andrew always instilled the importance of soil conservation in his farming technique. Andrew and Jane moved from the farm to Alma in 2006. Andrew shot the first deer known to be taken off the farm in 1949 and shot countless deer since. In the excitement with his initial deer he didn’t even field dress the deer and carried it on his shoulders as he ran home! Andrew also was a pioneer bow hunter in Buffalo County having shot one of the first deer to be taken in that manner. He loved hunting, whether it was for raccoon with his special dog Prince, deer hunting, or turkey hunting. He still had successful deer and turkey hunts into his 80’s. Hunting on the farm is steeped in tradition much because of Andrew’s influence. The practice continues today with three generations of hunters sharing that passion. Andrew deeply loved his God, his wife, his children, and grandchildren but he had many other loves too. He enjoyed following local sports, the Packers and Badgers, but his greatest passion was for the St. Louis Cardinals. He became a devoted fan at an early age listening to the evening games on KMOX 1120 AM out of St. Louis. On their honeymoon, Andrew and Jane saw the Cardinals beat the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Perhaps the biggest thrill of that day was riding the Drake Hotel elevator with Stan Musial! During the 1982 World Series Andrew was undoubtedly one of the few Wisconsinites cheering against the Brewers as they lost to the Cardinals! He couldn’t resist a game of Shib Jass with family or friends and if he had a Pabst Blue Ribbon in hand that was all the better! He was known to sit at a few blackjack tables in his retirement. Bowling was top of the entertainment list for much of Andrew’s adulthood. He once bowled a 272, but never got that elusive 300! He enjoyed music, singing along with the best of the crooners. Traveling also topped the list, his favorite being their Alaskan cruise with a land tour of Denali National Park. Andrew gave of himself to his community. He was a lifetime member of the Alma Rod & Gun Club, held several offices for AMPI, and served on the Cenex board for twelve years. Andrew’s greatest achievement in his faith community was being a charter member of the Alma Knights of Columbus Council 6789, later serving as Grand Knight and District Deputy. He went on to become a Fourth Degree member of Monsignor Andrzejewski Assembly 1752 of Arcadia and a longtime member of their honor guard. Andrew is survived by his wife, Jane; sons Curtis (Kathy), Mark (Cherie), daughters Elizabeth (Dale Nuzum) all of Alma, Andrea (Timothy Ryan) of Dresser, 10 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. Andrew was preceded in death by his parents, stillborn son Joseph, and brothers Norbert, Oliver, David, and William. A visitation will be held from 4 PM to 8 PM at Talbot Family Funeral Home, Alma with a Knights of Columbus led rosary at 7:45 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM Monday October 22, with an hour of visitation prior at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Alma. Burial will follow at Alma Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please direct memorials to Alma Knights of Columbus/Seminarian Program or St. Elizabeth Health Care Center Activity Department.