Michael "Big Mike" Druffel

Michael Robert Druffel, age 62, of Wells, MN died on Wednesday, July 31st, 2013 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. Funeral Services will be held Monday, August 5, 2013 at 10:30 AM, at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells. Visitation will be held Sunday, August 4, 2013 from 2:00-4:00 PM, with a 4:00 Prayer service at Bruss Heitner Funeral Home in Wells. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Father Thomas Niehaus will officiate and burial will be in St. Casimir Catholic Cemetery in Wells. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, MN is in charge of arrangements. Please see brussheitner.com to leave online condolences. Mike was born July 26th, 1951 in Quincy, IL, son of Robert and Alice (Wisemann) Druffel. Mike graduated from Christian Brothers High School in 1969 and immediately joined the work force beginning a 35 year career in the food processing industry working for several divisions of Con Agra Foods, Inc. Throughout his career, Mike worked at several different facilities including Quincy, IL, Athens, GA and finally Wells, MN. Later, he worked for Continental Carbonic of Winnebago, MN for 8 years until the time of his death. Mike held a technical certification in refrigeration from Frick Refrigeration School of Quincy, Ill and Refrigeration Systems from the University of Illinois. Mike was a member of St. Casimir's Catholic Church and a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. "Big Mike," as he was called by his family, enjoyed creating sculptures out of old car parts, playing Santa Claus, and entering his barrel train in local parades. Michael is survived by Donna, his wife of 41 years of Wells, MN, his father, seven children: Jennifer Rockwell (Sean) of Springfield, IL, Matt of Aurora, CO, Mark of Plano, TX, Joe of Wells, MN, Ben of New Brunswick, NJ, David (Amanda) of Rochester, MN and Elizabeth of Rochester, MN; four grandchildren: Jacob Brazzle, Braedon and Samantha Druffel, and Alison Rockwell; as well as 3 brothers, and 2 sisters. He was preceded in death by his mother. ***In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to USC high school "High Mileage" Team.