Long-Time Meat Cutter Gets Help From Friends

by Jeff Wright

To his customers and coworkers, Tony Masur had been a familiar face behind the meat counter at Loutre Market in Hermann, where he’d worked for more than 30 years. But that was before a series of health problems forced the 51-year-old head meat-cutter to quit work in November 2009.

His is missed by coworkers who describe him as “friendly and caring;” the type of person “who would do anything for you … if there was anything in the store that needed to be done, he could do it,” said Bonnie Krause, Deli Manager at Loutre Market. She and other store employees plan to stage a benefit for Masur on Saturday, Feb. 20, at Eagle Hall in Hermann.

“He’s worried about paying his bills,” said Ryan Engemann, who works at the market. “He had said something about having to sell his truck. You hate to hear about something like that. We’re just trying to do something to help him get through this."

Tickets for the benefit are $15 and can be purchased at Loutre Market. The event kicks off with a dinner at 6 p.m. and dance at 8 p.m. A silent auction is planned, along with a raffle for a homemade quilt and rack, and a muzzleloader gun.  Donations for Masur also are being accepted at Peoples Savings Bank in Hermann. To date, the contributions total $800 to $900, Kruase estimated.

“We just really want to sell as many tickets and help him out as much as we can,” she said. “He’s been such a good friend and so many people have known; he’s cut so many good steaks and filled so many big orders. I think everybody owes him one night; to help him out.”

Masur started working at Loutre Market in 1976, while still in high school. He wants to return to work, someday. “Yeah, I would love to,” he said. “I love the people and the customers. I like it.”

About the benefit his friends have planned for him, Masur said, "I think it’s great, that they care so much.”