Lydell "Fred" Keith Struck

Lydell “Fred” Keith Struck, of rural St. Peter, passed to his heavenly home on January 22, 2026, surrounded by family in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Funeral service will be 11:00am Monday, February 2, 2026 at Norseland Lutheran Church. Visitation will be 2:00-5:00pm Sunday, February 1st at Traverse des Sioux Garden Center, St. Peter, and 10:00am Monday at church. Memorials are preferred to Norseland Lutheran Church or Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School. For a complete obituary or to view the service livestream, visit www.saintpeterfuneralhome.com.

Fred was born in St. Peter, MN to Elmer and Lorraine (Gunderson) Struck on October 2, 1946. He would later proudly share this birthday with his first grandchild, Porter. He was baptized into eternal salvation on November 3, 1946 at Norseland Lutheran Church in rural St. Peter and later confirmed in his faith at Grace Lutheran Church, Le Sueur. On October 17, 1970, he was united in marriage to Joy Anthony. The union was blessed with three boys.

After graduating from St. Peter High School in 1964, Fred enrolled at the University of Minnesota. A proud graduate of the Horticulture program, he remained deeply connected to the university. He especially loved attending sporting events, bringing his children and grandchildren to countless football and basketball games.

Fred served in the United States Army from December 1968 to October 1970 and was honored to be one of the many young men from St. Peter who served in Vietnam. A member of the St. Peter Vietnam Veterans Last Man Club, he often joked that he would “win.”

Since his toddler days, Fred enjoyed plants, and maybe more importantly how plants and people were connected. After returning from Vietnam, when Green Giant diversified into garden centers, Fred assistant managed a site in the cities. Along with Joy, they would soon start their life-long careers as entrepreneurs. Through the years, they owned and operated a gift shop, a cut flower business, a garden center in Le Sueur, and in 1981, opened the current Traverse des Sioux Garden Center in St. Peter. Involved until the day of his passing, he took great satisfaction in running the business with Joy, their children, and now his grandchildren as little helpers. He enjoyed the people around the “store”, the many employees that became close, and the excitement of talking to a familiar delivery truck driver or a faithful customer.

Norseland Lutheran Church and the greater Norseland area were an integral part of his life. He played organ at church for many years and served on many boards and committees for both the church and the greater Norseland community. He was a strong supporter of Christian education and volunteered many hours at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School as the boys went through school. In recent years, Fred and Joy’s grandchildren brought them an endless amount of happiness. They felt fortunate to be able to attend sporting events, school programs, and birthday parties.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Lorraine; in-laws, Raymond and Marian (Dranttel) Anthony; brother-in-law, Larry Anthony; and sister-in-law, Sally Taylor. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joy Struck; his sons, Karl (Laura) Struck and their children Porter, Sophia, and Penelope; Oren Struck, and Keith (Anna) Struck; sisters, Jan Lutz and Marlene (Dan) Swearingen; sister-in-law, Dorothy Anthony; brother-in-law, Donald Taylor; nieces, nephews, and many dear friends and employees.

Although plants and flowers were the center of Fred’s life, memorials are preferred to Norseland Lutheran Church or Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School. Blessed be his memory in our midst!

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.