Harley D. Paschke, 88

Blue Earth – Harley Duane Paschke, age 88, of Blue Earth, passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at St. Luke’s Care Center. Harley was born on Oct. 3, 1932 to Clarence and Gertrude (Prescott) Paschke and graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1950. He attended Westmar College in Iowa before coming back home to Blue Earth to farm and be part of the family businesses – Marna Elevator and Paschke Implement.

Harley loved the land. He grew up on a farm and continued caring for over 400 acres until retiring in 1984. He was passionate about agricultural progress all his life, and closely followed the evolution of tractors, harvesters and integrated combines. He took great satisfaction in precision planting, and you wouldn’t find a farm with straighter rows.  

On Halloween in 1956, he met the woman who’d steal his heart at the roller-skating rink. Harley and Doris Goetz of Ledyard, Iowa were married on July 26, 1957. They were blessed with three daughters, and spent many years showing Arabian horses around the Midwest. Harley and Doris spent their retirement in Arizona and Missouri before returning to Blue Earth to be closer to family. They passed many weekends at fairs and yard sales collecting antiques, particularly Redwing stoneware and depression glass. Harley was a devoted man of faith who believed strongly in clean living and an honest day’s work. He would often surprise people with his sneaky sense of humor, and his deep love for his girls and family was the absolute center of his life.

Harley Paschke enters God’s Eternal Kingdom lovingly remembered by Doris, his wife of 63 years; their three daughters: Dawn Paschke, of Mankato; Tami (Mike) Hoffman, of Apple Valley; and Cindy (Dan) Driscoll, of Blue Earth; his brother, Howard (Mollie) Paschke, of Blue Earth; his sister, Carolyn (Tom) Fairchild, of Florence, Arizona; six grandchildren: Rachael (Tim) Mitchell, of Jackson; Emily (Jeff) Long, of Chicago, Illinois; Dan (Alecia) Driscoll, of Fairmont, Mitchel (Caitlin) Hoffman, of Minneapolis; Camille Driscoll, of Fairmont, and Matthew Hoffman, of Minneapolis; as well as five great-grandchildren, Aliya, Adelyn, Owen and Oliver Mitchell, and Paisley Driscoll; and many nieces and nephews. 

A public visitation was held on Friday, April 9 at Patton Funeral Home in Blue Earth. Patton Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. A private celebration of life for Harley will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association.