Walter Kuehl

Walter A. Kuehl, age 66, of Litchfield, died on January 6, 2009 at Meeker Memorial Hospital in Litchfield. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 10:30 AM at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield, MN with Pastor Melinda Melhus officiating. Visitation will be from 4 PM until 8 PM on Friday, January 9, 2009 at Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Internment will be held at a later date. Walter August Kenneth Kuehl, Jr. was born October 23, 1942, to Walter and Laura (Rosenow) Kuehl in Litchfield, MN. He grew up and received his education in Litchfield, graduating from Litchfield High School in 1960. Three years later, Walt married the love of his life, Donna Elstad, on November 2, 1963, at Ostmark Lutheran Church . This union was blessed with four children. Walt worked many years as a beef cow, dairy and crop farmer. He found great joy in farming and felt fortunate to be able to work at something he loved so much. He retired from farming in 1990 and began working full time at the Super Valu Store in Litchfield where he had been working part time since 1986. In 1998, Walt began working at The Market Place in Cokato. Walt's faith was an important part of his life and he was an active member of Ostmark Lutheran Church. He had served on the church councils for St. Matthews United Church of Christ and Ostmark Lutheran Church. He was active in the community by serving on the Cenex CO-OP board, Litchfield Blues board, Forest City Creamery board, and fulfilled the Forest City Township Treasurer position. Walt loved to sing and was part of the Men's Choir, the Men's Club at church, and the Litchfield Male Chorus. He was involved with the Forest City Stockade. Walt was also an avid Dragon Booster and was often seen at sporting events, supporting the local athletic teams. He was inducted into the Litchfield Blues Hall of Fame in 2004 and was recognized at the Outstanding Young Farmer in 1976. Farming and being active in his community were important to Walt, but family mattered to him even more. Walt was a very loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. Walter is survived by his wife Donna, children Natalie (Paul) Hare of St. Francis, MN, Nathan (Angela) Kuehl of Spring, TX, Mark (Tiffany) Kuehl of Plymouth, MN, James (Sarah) Kuehl of Otsego, MN, 11 grandchildren, sisters Ruth (Bud) Marquardt of Litchfield, MN, Dolores (Wally) Willette of Litchfield, MN, Alice (Art) Reilein of Litchfield, MN, Jeanette Byrne of Leesburg, VA, Diane (Willard) Maahs of Litchfield, MN and Bonnie Revering of AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents. BLESSED BE HIS MEMORY