Son of Henry Block and Magdalene Mary Sand. Husband of Donna Mae Billmeyer.


Andrew B. Block, age 64, a resident of Lastrup, MN, died March 5, 2000, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial was held March 9 at St. John's Catholic Church in Lastrup with Rev. Roger Thoennes officiating. Burial was in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley, MN. Andrew B. Block was born December 18, 1935, in Granite Township, Morrison County, MN, to the late Henry and Magdelina (Sand) Block. He grew up near Lastrup and attended country school. Andrew, or "Paddy" as he was known, then worked in North Dakota for a couple of years. He then worked for the U.S. Gypsum Company in St. Paul, MN, for a few years. He joined the U.S. Army in June 1957, and served until his honorable discharge in May, 1959. Andrew was united in marriage to Donna Billmeyer on September 22, 1959, in St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierz, MN. The couple moved to the home farm in 1959 and farmed until moving into Lastrup in 1974. In January 1974, Andrew joined the Minnesota National Guard and served until retiring in December, 1994. Paddy enjoyed masonry work, woodworking, cooking, gardening, playing cards, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Lastrup. Andrew is survived by his wife Donna; one son, Gregory Block and wife Sharon of Royalton, MN; three daughters, Diane Buszta and husband Jack of Coon Rapids, MN, Denise Philippi and husband Andrew of Ft. Ripley, MN, and Angela Nooter and husband Martin of Little Falls; three sisters, Hilda Hoheisel of Lastrup, Doris Pella of Pierz, MN, and Betty Kyrch and husband Roman of Pierz; eight grandchildren, B.J., Tiffany, and Johnny Buzsta, Bradley and Ashley Philippi, and Christopher, Andrew and Shelby Nooter. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Lorraine Block and Alice Lee; and two brothers, Victor and Fredrick Block. Casketbearers were soldiers from Andrew's former National Guard unit - Ronald Witt, Donald Zapzalka, John Swanson, David Osterman, Loren Tomala, and Robert Klosowski. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers.

Morrison County Record, 10 Mar 2000