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LaVern Witt Obituary

LaVern Edward Witt, 89, of Lake City, went to be with his loving Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017 after a short stay at Mayo Clinic Health System, Lake City Hospital.
    LaVern was born Oct. 19, 1927 in Lake City to Willie and Dora (Roper) Witt.  He was the fourth child of nine children. LaVern grew up on the family farm in Lake City and graduated from the Agriculture School in St. Paul.  He proudly served in the Air Force during the Korean War from 1948 to 1952 as an airplane mechanic.  On Sept. 8, 1956 LaVern married Phyllis Hilan at the Minneola Lutheran Church in Goodhue.   After they were married, they farmed on the family Century Dairy Farm for 30 years.  He and his wife moved to Lake City where they have lived for the last 31 years.  He was a lifelong member of the West Florence Immanuel Lutheran Church where he was baptized and confirmed.
    In his early years LaVern enjoyed boxing while in the service, playing baseball for the town team and bowling.  After he moved to town he enjoyed golfing, fishing trips to Canada, Alaska and Lake Pepin, hunting, gardening (especially with his great-granddaughter Anikah), playing cards with friends and neighbors, helping his son on the farm and eating good home-cooked food.  He was an avid fan of the Twins and Vikings through both the good years and the bad.  He enjoyed spending time with his wife of 61 years, his four children and their spouses, his five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and many special nieces and nephews.  His quiet laugh and quick humor will be dearly missed by all.  
    LaVern served on many boards throughout his life including the Farmers Elevator (Ag Partners), Dairy Herd Improving Assoc., and the West Florence Immanuel Lutheran Church.  He was also a lifetime member for the VFW Post 8729.
    LaVern is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis; his children, Cynthia, Patricia (Ernie), Larry (Shari), and Lisa (Jim); his five grandchildren, Maggie (Greg), Mandy (Steve), Jack, Myla and Ella; his six great-grandchildren, Anikah, Addison, Liam, Skylar, Hayden and Teagan; brother, Don; sisters, Irene, Elaine, Shirley (Wally) and Janice (John).   He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Dora; his sisters, Verona (Erwin) and baby Violet; brother, Glen (Dora).
    Funeral service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m. at the West Florence Immanuel Lutheran Church in Florence Township with Pastor Kurtzahn officiating.  Burial will be conducted in the church cemetery following the service.  Visitation will be held at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson-Peterson Chapel in Lake City Monday, Oct. 16, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday. Online condolence may be placed at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com

The Lake City Graphic

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Lake City, MN 55041

ISSN 2994-1059 (print)  ISSN 2994-1067 (online)