George Albert Wichmann

George Albert Wichmann, 78, passed away peacefully at home on February 8, 2026. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2026 at Bear Lake Concordia Lutheran Church. A visitation will be held Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 4-6 p.m. at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home, along with an hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Bear Lake Cemetery following the service. Pastor Lou Peters will be officiating.

George was born on September 26, 1947 at Albert Lea Naeve Hospital to Albert and Lorraine (Stiehl) Wichmann. George married Brenda (Childs) on July 12, 1975 and together they raised two children. He lived his entire life on his family’s farm in rural Alden.

George began his education in a one room school house located on his Grandpa Wichmann’s land. He attended Conger Elementary School, graduating from Alden High School in 1965. George attended Mankato State University obtaining a degree in business administration. He drew a military draft number of 18 and was called to military service immediately upon college graduation. He served his country as a United States Marine. After discharge, George went to work at the Kiester State Bank, also starting his tax preparer business. He later established the George Wichmann Agency with Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. George had a hog finishing operation for many years. He loved his work and recently retired in 2024 due to advancing health concerns.

George was a devoted and supportive figure, always present at his children’s events and activities, and later an admiring Grandpa who cherished time spent with his granddaughters.

George and Brenda enjoyed extensive travel which took them to Europe several times, Alaska twice and all over our country. A good number of these trips were with the Wichmann family travelers. He also enjoyed his Class of ‘65 bus trips and the annual “Fab 7” trip to Duluth with his kids and grandgirls.

From childhood on, George had a fascination with airplanes. He earned his private pilot license and enjoyed taking an occasional aerial cruise.

George’s eclectic collections include antique tractors, which are primarily John Deere, but one favorite is a Ford he named “Henry.” His collections also include model cars, farm toys, farm machinery literature and non-fiction books. He was a talented musician and enjoyed playing his tuba, “Big Fellow” in the Albert Lea Community Band and singing in several area choirs. George did not golf as a hobby, he mowed lawns! He was the caretaker of the Bear Lake Cemetery and Bear Lake church yard for 22 years.

George felt his calling was to give back to his community by serving on various boards where he provided leadership to: Alden Township Board, Freeborn County Board of Townships, Bear Lake Church Council- where he guided several major improvement projects, Bear Lake Cemetery, Bayview Funeral Home, Senior Resources, Albert Lea Community Band, Careyaires Chorus and Manchester Farmers Mutual Insurance Company.

Those left to cherish George’s memory are Brenda, his wife of 50 years, son Jeffrey, daughter Diana and husband Heath Reindal, granddaughters Lilah and Charlotte Reindal; siblings, Paul (Marilyn), Mary, Loren (Janet), Allan (Cindy) and Jean Wichmann; aunt Verle Wichmann; sisters in law, Vanda Pressnall and Suzanne Childs; stepsiblings, Luverne (Kay), Carl (Paulette), Barb (Ken) Rasmussen, Roger (Lisa) Overby and Diane (Charles) Roeper.

George was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother Laurene (Rasmussen) Farland; mother and father-in-law LaVonne and Dick Childs; stepfather-in-law Jim Overby; special aunt and uncle Muriel (Gries) and Walt Wichmann; brother-in-law Don Pressnall; stepsiblings, Larry (LaVonne) Rasmussen and Kathy Kuethe.

George cherished all the time spent over the years with many aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family would like to say a special thanks to Dr. Michael Storandt of Rochester Mayo Hematology, the Albert Lea Mayo Oncology team and Mayo Hospice.

Memorials may be given to Albert Lea Youth for Christ or Bear Lake Cemetery Association.

George’s life was a testament to faith, family and service.

The service will be live-streamed, and can be watch via the following link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CQoZJkXp4/