Kermit Gatzlaff

Altura,     Kermit F. Gatzlaff, 81, of Altura died Sunday April 27th at his home. He was born November 24, 1921 in Altura, the son of Henry and Delia (Kobler) Gatzlaff. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1939 and attended one year of college at Winona State. He served in the US Army from 1944-46 as staff sergeant with the Headquarters Division, stationed in the Philippines and Korea. Kermit and Betty Belter were married October 18, 1947 at Altura.     Kermit worked at the Altura Co-op Creamery and Nelson Garage. In 1948 he and his brother, John, opened the Altura Hardware business where he was employed until retiring in 1990. He was known for his whistling as he walked to and from work each day.He was a member of Jehovah Evangelical Lutheran Church, was a charter member of the Altura Lions Club, served on the Altura Development Corporation, bringing a restaurant and other businesses to town. He was an investor in the Altura Hilltop Development Corporation, which provided lots, streets and utilities necessary for new homes to be built. He also was president of Altura Housing, Inc. an affordable rental housing project. Kermit enjoyed watching high school, college and professional sports. He was a Viking and Twins fan, and also cheered for the MN Gophers and the FSU Seminoles. He appreciated the opportunity to spend several winters in a condominium on the Gulf Coast at Panama City, Florida. Meeting many wonderful new friends and even had time to play a round of golf.He is survived by his wife Betty; sons, Ron (Patrice) of Rochester, and Dean (Kathy) of Tallahassee, FL, a daughter Jodi Kay (Bruce) Heim of Lewiston, 11 grandchildren, Kate (Joel) Johnston, Kevin, Kristin, Rebecca and Rachyl Gatzlaff, Heather, Hollie, Christopher, Leah, Brooke, and Breana Heim; two great grandsons, Noah and Conner; a brother John (Betty), and a sister Leona (Orin) Hanson of LaCrosse, and a brother-in-law, Ervin (Jean) Belter of Kellogg. His parents and four infant sons have preceded him in death.Funeral Services will be 11 AM Thursday at Jehovah Ev. Lutheran Church in Altura with the Revs. David A. Fischer and Michael A. Lindemann officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Hebron Moravian Cemetery, Altura. Friends may call from 4-8 PM Wednesday at Hoff Funeral Home’s – Lewiston Chapel. They may also call one hour before services Thursday at the Church. The family would like to thank pastors and friends who prayed with Kermit, played music, sang favorite songs, sent cards, flowers, and kept him up to date with the town news. He did care about his community and the people that live in it. And thanks also to all of the gentle caregivers from the Winona Hospice and to the Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Burch.