Funeral services for LuVern F. Wilts of Herman, MN will be held Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Herman. Reverend Jennifer Rose will be officiating. Visitation will be held Friday from 5 to 7 PM at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Herman and for one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Burial will be at Lakeside Cemetery in Herman.
LuVern Fredrick Wilts, son of Earl and Alma (Brunkow) Wilts, was born March 22, 1924 in Eldorado Township in Stevens County, Minnesota. He was baptized at the United Methodist Church and confirmed at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Herman. LuVern attended Country School District #61 in Eldorado Township. During and following his schooling he worked on the farm with his parents. On September 21, 1949, he was united in marriage to Mildred Christenson. The couple made their home in Eldorado Township, where LuVern farmed with his brother and brother-in-law. In 1972, LuVern and his sons formed Triple D Farms. In 1983, LuVern and Mildred moved to Herman and LuVern continued to help his sons out whenever he could.
LuVern was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Herman, where he served on the church council. He served for 13 years on the Herman-Norcross School Board and served on the Eldorado Township Board for several years. He enjoyed farming, fishing, wood-working and camping at Ten-Mile Lake Resort. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
LuVern died on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, Minnesota, having lived to reach the age of 86 years.
He is survived by his wife: Mildred Wilts of Herman; five children: Dennis (Marcy) Wilts of Herman, Annegine (Larry) Vipond of Herman, Duane (Carol) Wilts of Chokio, Sharlene (Dale) Schmidt of Fergus Falls and Douglas (Ellen) Wilts of Herman; son-in-law: Jon Roehl of Fergus Falls; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one sister: Shirley (George) Libbon of Chokio; two sisters-in-law: Beverly Wilts of Chokio and Bernice Christenson of Hector, MN one brother-in-law: George Gow of Benson, AZ and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter: Corrine Roehl; one grandson: Bruce Wilts; his parents and two brothers: Winfred and Marvin Wilts.
Pallbearers for the service are LuVern's grandsons: Bryan Wilts, Todd Vipond, Eric Vipond, Jason Roehl and Darin Roehl. Honorary pallbearers are LuVern's granddaughters: Jennifer Joecks, Stephanie Richman, Kristen Gronwold, Amber Tabbert, Kaley Wilts, Roseanna Wilts, Angela Tharaldson, Karma Schmidt, Jessica Schmidt, Carrie Wilts and Kellie Wilts. Olivia Richards will serve as organist for the service with Barb Wilts serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials to the Lakeside Cemetery in Herman, Herman Fire Department and Herman First Responders.