Allan Eugene Meinerts was born the youngest of nine children, on August 12, 1948, to John and Freida (Bruns) Meinerts at the Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne, Minnesota. He was raised on the family farm and attended school in town, graduating from Luverne High School in 1967. That fall, Allan was involved in a serious automobile accident, where he was crushed from the waist down and told he would never walk again. In true Allan fashion, he defied the odds and learned to walk again.
He attended Pipestone VoTech in Pipestone, Minnesota, and completed the auto mechanics program. Following school, Allan returned to the family farming operation.
On August 12, 1977, Allan was united in marriage to Evonne Smedsrud at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. The couple made their home on the family farm south of Luverne and were blessed with two children. In addition to farming, Allan accumulated a number of rental properties which he owned, remodeled, rented and maintained. During his life, he also held a number of miscellaneous jobs as he was a man of many talents.
In 2010 the couple moved off the family farm and into town. In 2014 Allan formally retired, but remained active taking care of his properties.
On January 26, 2024, Allan was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a form of bile duct cancer. On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, Allan passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 75 years, 8 months, and 11 days.
Allan loved cars. Whether it was racing, wrenching on them with others, talking about them, attending car shows, or just driving around, he loved cars! He thoroughly enjoyed morning coffee with the boys at McDonald’s, camping, planning class reunions, and spending time with friends and family. As he held a love for his ’50s and ’60s music, it was often heard playing in the background at his home, in his shop, or on his car radio. In his later years, he enjoyed planning and helping with events at The Lake in Luverne.
Out of all of his titles throughout his life, he was most proud of the title of “Grandpa” to his two grandsons. Allan will be remembered as an enduring friend to many.
Left to cherish and continue Allan’s spirit are his wife, Evonne of Luverne; two children, Michelle Meinerts of Mitchell, South Dakota, and Daniel Meinerts (special friend, Jessi) of Luverne; two grandsons, Daemon and Chase; three siblings, John (Linda) Meinerts of Owatonna, Minnesota, George (Sharon) Meinerts of Luverne, and Louise Wylie of Grandbury, Texas; sister-in-law, Martha Meinerts of Lakeville, Minnesota; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings, Lowell Meinerts, Enola Kortlever, Lylamae Vandenberg, Claryce Phillips and Carl Meinerts.
Memorials may be directed to the family, which will be dispersed to the Luverne Alumni News, Luverne Dollars for Scholars and the Fourth of July celebration at The Lake.
A celebration of life visitation was held Sunday, April 28, from 2- p.m. at Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. A graveside interment was Monday, April 29, at 11 a.m. at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
Arrangements are under the care of Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. To view Allan’s life tribute or sign an online registry, please visit www.hartquistfuneral.com.