BENJAMIN H. HITZ, JR.
Benjamin Harrison Hitz Jr., age 84, of Boyceville, WI passed away Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at his home.
He was born June 14, 1931 in Town of Lucas, Dunn Co. WI to Benjamin Sr. and Georgia (Nauman) Hitz. At the age of four, Ben moved with his family to Spring Valley where he attended school until the 8th grade.
Ben worked on many farms in his younger years then worked for the Dunn County Highway Dept., and retired from driving dump truck for Wayne Lorenz Excavating in 1993.
He served in the U.S. Air Force in Anchorage, AK and Minnesota before returning home to Wheeler.
On June 26, 1954, Ben married Yvonne Sandvig in Wheeler, WI. Together they raised their family of seven children. After her death, Ben later married Nancy Carter on June 24, 1983 in Stillwater, MN. They have resided in Boyceville, WI.
Ben was a member of Menomonie Moose Lodge 1584 and Wheeler VFW Post 10424. He enjoyed playing cards, watching the Packers and NASCAR racing. He also loved to bowl and loved visiting old friends and time spent with family.
Ben is survived by his wife, Nancy; his children, Clifford (Bev) Hitz, Candice (Dale) Gromowski, David Hitz, Roberta Hitz, Ellen (Warren “Butch”) Carter, Nancy Duval (Bud), Larry Hitz, and DaLonna (Matt) Shane; three stepsons, Rick, Randy and Rory Smith; 32 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Fred (Phyllis), Harold (Judy), Russell (Sue); sisters, Mary Schleusner and Kit (Arnold) Metze; brother-in-law, Lyle Minor. He will also be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Yvonne; two children, Patty and Mark; a daughter-in-law, Carolyn; two grandchildren, Tony and Tyler; two brothers, Donald and Irvin; and three sisters, Jean, Betty and Mabel.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 21, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boyceville, WI with Pastor Brad Peterson officiating. Visitation was held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie and at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial was in St. John’s Cemetery in the Town of Menomonie, Dunn Co. WI with military honors by Menomonie Veterans Honor Guard and Wheeler VFW Post 10424.
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