Laurel Shoutz

Laurel Shoutz, age 84, of Forest City died on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at the Meeker Manor Rehabilitation Center in Litchfield. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at the St. Matthew’s United Church of Christ in Forest City. Visitation will be held on Monday, March 4th from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:30 PM at Johnson-Hagglund Funeral and Cremation Service. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Forest City Cemetery. Laurel Henry Frank Shoutz, the son of Lawrence and Dora (Ross) Shoutz, was born on December 9, 1934 in Forest City Township. He attended country school and graduated from Litchfield High School in 1952. On August 29, 1953 he was united in marriage to Grace Thatcher at the St. Matthew’s Church in Forest City. They made their home in Forest City Township where Laurel farmed. Laurel worked as a bailiff for Meeker County. He also hauled milk, worked for Jennie-O and drove school bus while he farmed. He was an active member of St. Matthew’s church serving on the council and as a trustee. Laurel served on the township board and also the creamery board. He was an avid Vikings fan and enjoyed bowling, playing cards and gardening. Laurel loved farming especially tillage work and making hay. He and Grace were foster parents to several children throughout the years. He will be remembered as a kind and giving person. Laurel would often lend a hand to a neighbor before doing his own work. He would make sure they were fed or had heat for the winter if they were in need. He is survived by his wife Grace Shoutz of Forest City; children Ron (Patti) Shoutz of St. Cloud, Mark (Vickie) Shoutz of Dassel, Brian Shoutz of Forest City, Jon (Crisi) Shoutz of Forest City; grandchildren Tiffany (Jason) Thompson, Kristina Shoutz, Nathan (Dallas) Shoutz, Jordan (Sam) Pfeninger, Amie (Tim) Langenfeld, Dorie (Jeremiah) Jessen, Casey (Angela) Shoutz, Laura Shoutz, Sara Shoutz, Abagayle Shoutz, Aleisha Shoutz and Jack Shoutz; great grandchildren Sage Shoutz, Cullen Thompson, Avery Thompson, Henry Pfeninger, Faith Jessen, Gavin Jessen, Jadyn Jessen and Alexis Langenfeld. He is also survived by his sister Donna Holtz of Litchfield. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Gayle, sister Beverly Hartwig and foster brother Archie Robertson.