Philip Joseph “Phil” Kitzman, 78, of Highway 51, Oma Township, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon, Dec. 29, 2016, at home with his family by his side.

He was born Oct. 2, 1938, in Faribault, Minnesota, the son of  Joseph and Susan (Maas) Kitzman.

Phil attended Austin, Minnesota, schools, graduating from Pacelli High School in 1956. He married his soul mate and love of his life, Therese Pieper, on Sept. 6, 1958, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Rose Creek, Minnesota. They just celebrated 58 years of marriage.

Phil was employed at the Kelly Furniture Company in Austin. He opened his own bike shop and then owned and operated “Phil’s Cycle & Marine.” Moving to the area in 1968, he resided in Hurley, Wisconsin, Gile, Wisconsin, and eventually settled in Oma. He was a mechanic at Ave’s Sports Center until 1981. Phil opened “This Old House Antiques” in Hurley until it was destroyed by a fire on Dec. 22, 1988. He moved his business to Oma where he owned and operated “Kitzman’s Woodland Antiques.” Phil and Therese traveled to Holland, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, France and Mexico, where they purchased antiques. Their last trip was during 9-11.

In his youth, he enjoyed trapping, hunting and fishing. Phil bred and raised paint and quarterhorses. He and Therese traveled the 4-H show circuit and state horse shows. Phil was president of the Snowbelt Horseman Association.

Phil enjoyed racing snowmobiles. He was president of the Gile Flowage Snowmobile Club for many years. He also enjoyed refinishing furniture and in later years, wood burning. Phil was artistic, had a vision, and was a fine master craftsman. It was said, “He had sawdust in his veins.” His grandfather was a cabinetmaker and Phil even designed his own cremation urn. He was a grateful, kind and appreciative man and his family will miss him dearly.

Phil is survived by his wife, Therese; five children, Joseph (Kum) Kitzman of Tampa, Florida, Mary (Richard) Koski of Kimball, Wisconsin, Julie (Gary) Miles of Gile Flowage, Jim (Deb) Kitzman of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and Tammy Roberson of Hurley; 12 grandchildren, Keith, Jamie, Julie, Ashley, Garison, Cassy, Amanda, Theresa, Sara, Cole, Kayla, and Timothy; seven great-grandchildren, Jayda, Keegan, Emma, Easton, Kyla, Allison, and Jannah; his sister, Karen (Ed) Peterson; his brothers, David (Karen) Kitzman, Michael (Joey) Kitzman, Brian (Irene) Kitzman, Tom (Sue) Kitzman, Mark (Sandy) Kitzman, and John Kitzman.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Kenny and James.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Hurley. Father Frank Kordek OFM will be the celebrant. Phil’s family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church Tuesday. Spring inurnment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hurley.

Memorial contributions may go to Regional Hospice or St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hurley.

Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Ketola-Burla Funeral Home of Hurley is assisting the family.