Journal file photo Former mayor Joel Albrecht is pictured downtown in this undated Journal photo. Albrecht died at age 83 Sunday.

NEW ULM — Former New Ulm Mayor Joel Timm Albrecht, 83, died Sunday, May 26.

Albrecht served as a city councilor before becoming mayor. His service to the city continued after he left city government.

Former city manager Brian Gramentz remembered Albrecht as a man with a passion for a lot of topics, including bowling, government and Highway 14.

“He always volunteered to be in a leadership position,” Gramentz said.

Current Mayor Robert Beussman has long been involved with the push to expand Highway 14 into a four-lane road but said Albrecht championed Highway 14 even earlier.

Beussman said he got to know Albrecht when the two served on the Planning Commission together.

“I learned more in those first 12 meetings than all my years of schooling,” he said. Beussman described Albrecht as an intelligent man who knew how to get the job done. Beussman also praised Albrecht for finding the Concord Singers events to perform.

“I am trying to fill his shoes, but he took big steps,” Beussman said.

“He was the sort of guy who, if you were in the room with him, you knew he was in the room,” former council president Dan Beranek said. “He was proud of New Ulm and proud of being on the city government.”

Beranek remembered Albrecht attending Bockfest and encouraging people to celebrate. He said Albrecht could “ham it up” but he had fun with life.

“He enjoyed being mayor,” Beranek said. “It fit his personality.”

“I am devastated,” City Councilor Les Schultz said. “This is a big loss for our city.”

Schultz serves as councilman for New Ulm’s Third Ward, the same ward Albrecht once served. Schultz said it was Albrecht who convinced him to run for office and he enjoyed serving with him.

He described Albrecht as a person who could give advice without telling you what to do.

Schultz remembered that when the council was faced with tough decisions, Albrecht would ask, “What is the best decision for the city?”

Albrecht was a tireless supporter of New Ulm. In 2014, he was honored as “Tourism Person of the Year.”

Albrecht’s contributions include outreach and networking in other communities and personally watering city flowers on Minnesota Street in downtown New Ulm.

Schultz said whenever Albrecht left New Ulm for a convention or event, he took Schell’s beer with him, which he, in turn, distributed to members of neighboring communities. He was a strong supporter of the local brewing company.

Albrecht is survived by his wife Rheeta of New Ulm; his daughters, Victoria Torvick and Ramona Albrecht, of New Ulm; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and brother, Luther Albrecht of Romeoville, Illinois.

Joel Timm Albrecht was born August 4, 1935, in Clarkfield, to Rev. Henry and Clara (Timm) Albrecht.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 3, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Burial will follow in the St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in New Ulm. Full military honors will be provided by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard. Cannon salute will be provided by the New Ulm Battery.

Visitation will be 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home-North Chapel and 10-11 a.m. on Monday, June 3, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.