Lothar Meisel, 82, of Owatonna, died Thursday, September 22, 2011 at Cedarview Care Center. Lothar was born February 21, 1929 in Klingenthal, Germany the son of Kurt and Helene (Meinel) Meisel. Lothar had wanted to become a Forrester growing up, but because of the war he had to give up that dream and became a violin maker. He was the 9th generation of an unbroken line of father passing to son in the craft of violin making. In January of 1949, he escaped from East Germany and worked in Kiel, Germany and later in 1952 in Burmingham, England. Lothar eventually left England and settled in Cleveland, OH where his parents would join him in 1954, after their escape from Germany in 1952. The family moved to Owatonna in 1957 with the help of Harry Wenger and Arnold Krueger. Lothar started his own business, Meisel Violins. Lothar was united in marriage to Patricia Nelson on August 2, 1964 and the couple made their home in Owatonna. Family was very important to Lothar. He enjoyed spending time with them on family vacations. During business trips, Lothar took his children to Germany and showed them the areas where he grew up. Lothar enjoyed hunting and was a lifetime member of the NRA. Before his retirement, he was a member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers. He is survived by his wife Pat Meisel of Owatonna; a daughter, Karin (and Neal) Steffenson of Owatonna; son, Steve (and Becky) Meisel of Columbia, SC; and three grandchildren, Derek and Erin Steffenson of Owatonna and Tyler Meisel of Columbia, SC. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home on Monday, September 26, 2011 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Michaelson Funeral Home with The Reverend Dean Smith officiating. Interment will be in the St. John Cemetery in Owatonna. Memorials are preferred to the Steele County Humane Society or donor''s choice. Visitation: 09/26/2011 17:00 09/26/2011 19:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service in the funeral home 09/27/2011 11:00