Earl Willys Klitzke

Earl Willys Klitzke, age 91, of Willmar died on Monday, November 30, 2015, at the Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on, Friday, December 4, 2015, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Interment will be in the Lake Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield at a later date. Military honors will be held by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. Earl was born December 17, 1923, on his family farm in Pope County to John and Selma Klitzke. In November of 1943 he married the love of his life Arlene Carlson. They were blessed with 72 years of marriage. In 1949, the growing family of 7 daughters moved to Litchfield. That same year they joined Zion Lutheran Church that was built on land owned by his grandparents. Because of that he had a very special place in his heart for Zion. Earl and Arlene owned and operated the Meeker County Ambulance for 24 1/2 years. They also taught emergency classes in Meeker County. He was a fireman for 20 years and County Coroner for 10 years. Earl and Arlene retired in 1991 and moved to Willmar. They both enjoyed working side by side in business and decided on one final adventure, a neighborhood lawn service in 1996. Earl felt much love for his family. He is survived by his wife Arlene of 72 years, 5 daughters, 8 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. He was preceded in death by 2 daughters, Judy and Debbie. Arrangements by Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home, Litchfield, MN. Please sign our on-line guestbook at www.johnsonhagglund.com Previous Events Visitation Friday, December 4, 2015 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Friday, December 4, 2015 11:00 AM Zion Lutheran Church 504 North Gilman Avenue Litchfield, MN 55355