Charles “Chuck” Messerschmidt Jr, age 86 of Lexington, NE died peacefully at home June 22, 2022 after bravely battling pancreatic cancer. He was born February 10, 1936, to Charley and Blanche (Kruger) Messerschmidt in Sioux City, IA. He was baptized February 29, 1936 at Grace Lutheran Church in Wayne, NE. He was confirmed on May 28, 1950 at Grace Lutheran Church also in Wayne, NE.

He attended Wayne High School in Wayne, NE and graduated in 1954, then attended Wayne State Teachers College, graduating in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in music education.

On June 16, 1957 he married Maydelle Echtenkamp at Grace Lutheran Church in Wayne, NE. They recently celebrated their 65th anniversary. God blessed their marriage with two children, a daughter, Carla and a son, Kelly.

He began his career in education teaching band in Wakefield, NE. In 1960 he moved to Albion, NE where he taught band and choir. He continued his education receiving a master’s degree in music from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO. In 1965 his career took him to William Penn College in Oskaloosa, IA where he taught choir and music education classes. Finally, in 1967 he relocated to Lexington, NE where he taught band, then transitioned into educational media until he retired in 1994.

An avid musician, his passion for music spanned many genres from church music to big band to jazz. He loved playing and teaching music and his music will live on through all the people he taught and inspired! He was a member of and organist at Trinity Lutheran Church for 55 years. In addition, he has played the organ at various local churches and for decades has played Taps for military funerals. He was the leader of the Night Caps, his dance band that played in many venues around the state of Nebraska. He had been president of Trinity Lutheran Congregation and continued to serve as an Elder of the church. He also served on the Lexington City Council from 1976-1980.

Chuck loved spending time outside working on his lawn or in his garden and pumpkin patch. He enjoyed time with his grandsons, especially outside building snowmen and doing woodworking projects with them. He loved decorating the outside of the house for all holidays, especially Halloween and Christmas. After he retired you could find him in his workshop refinishing antiques or putting a fresh coat of paint on houses around Lexington. Chuck loved to bring a smile to the face of everyone he knew always taking the time to share a story!

He is survived by his wife, Maydelle Messerschmidt, daughter, Carla (John) Pfeifer of Inver Grove Heights, MN, three grandsons, Christopher (Meredyth) Pfeifer of St. Louis Park, MN, Michael Pfeifer of Omaha, NE, Daniel Pfeifer of Inver Grove Heights, MN, and a daughter-in-law, Jane Messerschmidt of Lincoln NE.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Elinor Messerschmidt and his son, Kelly Messerschmidt.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, June 27 at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington with Pastor Rob Kuefner, officiating. The service will be live-streamed via the Trinity Lutheran Church website, www.tlclex.org

There will be a visitation on Sunday, June 26 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Reynolds-Love Funeral home in Lexington.

Cremation will follow the Celebration of Life service and burial will be held at a later date.

Memorials will go to Trinity Lutheran Church and other organizations to ensure that his love for church music continues.

Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.