ARTHUR “ART” ALBRECHT

January 18, 1934 – March 13, 2026

Arthur “Art” Albrecht, age 92 of Delano MN, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026. He was born to Johann and Mathilde “Oma” (Wendlandt) Albrecht in Leipzig, Germany.

Art was confirmed at the age of 14 at Wallerstadten Hessen Church, Leipzig, Germany in 1948. In 1998, he returned to Wallerstadten for his 50^th reunion, and to his surprise, ALL 16 confirmands were there!

At the age of 14, one of the requirements in Germany was to learn a trade. Art chose to be a shoemaker, which he continued throughout most of his life.

At the age of 18, Art left Germany to come to America and he lived with his aunt & uncle near Lake Rebecca in Greenfield/Delano. The rest of Art’s family remained in Germany.

Art married Barbara Luffey in 1957, and they raised a family together in Delano with children Dan, Paul, & Melinda. Sadly, son Paul passed away at the age of 21, and wife Barbara passed away at the age of 50.

Art worked as a shoemaker, machinist, painter, musician, along with various other side jobs throughout his life.  His real passion was playing his accordion at German Fests, parades, Oktoberfest’s, Old Log Theatre, parties, nursing homes, anniversaries, and many other celebrations. He was the first musician to perform at the Gasthof Zur Gemutlichkeit in Montrose, MN.

Art married Karen Vraspir (of Rockford, MN) in 1994 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Delano MN.  Art & Karen enjoyed travel and made several trips to Germany to visit his family.

Art retired from Washington Scientific (WSI) in Long Lake MN, after a long career as a machinist.

Art was a longtime member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Delano MN.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Erwin, Arnold, Emil & Helmut Albrecht;

wife Barbara; son Paul; wife Karen; son-in-law Kevin Ruprecht; stepdaughter Allison Vraspir-Roosevelt.

He is survived by his sister: Klara; children: Dan (Karen) Albrecht and Melinda (late Kevin) Ruprecht; stepchildren: Corinne (Keith) Marks, Dana (Tammy) Vraspir, Jess (Tricia) Vraspir; grandchildren: Dana (Amanda) Albrecht, Darla (Doug) Broberg, Kevin “KJ” (Alyssa) Ruprecht, Kelinda (Joe Gertken) Ruprecht, Kyle (Savannah) Ruprecht, Kamrin Ruprecht, Nicholas and Nathan Scharpe, and several step- grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces & nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers at The Legacy of Delano and Lifespark Hospice.

Funeral Services were held at 11 AM on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Delano, MN.  A visitation was held prior from 9-11 AM. A luncheon followed the service.

Interment in West Mt. Olive Cemetery.