Willis E. Hertle, 87
Willis E. Hertle, 87, of Austin died on Sept. 6, 2008 at Fieldcrest Care Center in Hayfield, Minn.
He was born Feb. 7, 1921 in Red Rock Township, Minn. to Henry and Sena (Ryks) Hertle. He attended country school in Mower County. He served in the U.S. Army in the European Theater during WW II from 1942 to 1945. He married Elinor Kraft on April 20 1946 at St. Johns Lutheran Church Parsonage in Austin. Willis worked for the George A. Hormel Company for over 40 years and retired in 1982. He was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the Austin Moose and Eagles clubs.
He enjoyed camping, woodworking, and the 14 years he and Elinor wintered in Mesa, Ariz. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Willis is survived by his wife, Elinor Hertle, Austin; daughter, Sharon (Larry) Sparks, Sargeant, Minn.; granddaughter, Lori (William) Douglas, Eagan, Minn.; great-granddaughter, Lauren Douglas; great-grandson, Will Douglas; brothers, Everett “Bud” Hertle, Austin, Lawrence “Larry” Hertle, Minneapolis, Minn.; sister, Florence (Earl) Hagstrom, Brownsdale, Minn.; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Vicki Lynn Hertle and his parents.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Todd Portinga, AiM officiating. Interment will be in the Grandview Cemetery in Austin. Visitation will be at St. Olaf Lutheran Church on Thursday for one hour before the service. The organist will be Neal Erickson with soloist Holly Newman. Military rites will be done by American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 216. Memorial are preferred to St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin or Fieldcrest Care Center in Hayfield. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary in charge of arrangements.
 The casket bearers will be Randy Hamilton, Ron Hamilton, Russ Hamilton, Norman Hagstrom, Rodger Hagstrom and Terry Plath. Honorary bearers will be Lauren and Will Douglas.