Virgil Merle Britson

HOFF FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICE - HOUSTON, MN 507-896-3127 HOUSTON, MINN. - Virgil Merle Britson, 78, of Houston, Minn. died on Tuesday, September 28, at his home surrounded by his family. Virgil was born on January 11, 1932, near Houston, Minn. to Melvin and Lizzie (Strand) Britson. Virgil was raised in Houston, attended Looney Valley Country School and graduated from Houston High School in 1950. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. On October 11, 1958, Virgil was united in marriage with Lydia Haupt at South Ridge Lutheran Church in rural LaCrescent, Minn. He worked for Roverud Construction for 20 years. Virgil then became a self-employed salesman, selling hardware to area farmers. He was a life-long member of the Looney Valley Lutheran Church. Virgil was also a member of the Houston American Legion, Old Style Auto Club in LaCrosse, Wis., and the International Motor Car Association. Virgil loved to drive his 38 Ford and his 21 Model T. In his younger years, Virgil raced cars and was a member of the Ernie Tuff Pit Crew in Daytona, Florida. Virgil is survived by his wife, Lydia; three children: Randy (Irish) Britson of Houston, Ronda (Scott) Mehlhoff of Phoenix, Ariz., and Janine (Gary) Fitting of Houston. Six grandchildren: Keith, Marie, Shawn, Stuart, Connor, and Patrick; three great-grandchildren: Ava, Rory, and Kyle; a sister, Joan (Leighton) Kragness of Rushford, Minn.; and a brother, Arnold (Edith) Britson of Waterloo, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 2, at Looney Valley Lutheran Church with the Rev. Mark Niethammer officiating. Burial will be in the Silver Creek Cemetery in rural Houston. Visitation will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service in Houston, and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Leave a memory of Virgil and sign his online guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com