Darwin Pautzke

Darwin B. Pautzke, age 74, of Grove City, died Thursday morning, January 11, at the Emmanuel Home in Litchfield following a battle with cancer.

Memorial services will be 10:30 A.M. Monday, January 15, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grove City with Rev. John Peterson officiating. The interment will be held in Arndahl Cemetery in Grove City at a later date. Visitation will be 2-4 P.M. Sunday at the Atwater Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Military Honors will be provided by the Atwater American Legion Post. Memorials are preferred to Meeker County Hospice.

Darwin Burdell Pautzke was born May 15, 1932 in Springfield, Minnesota, the son of Arthur and Viola (Green) Pautzke. He grew up and received his education in the Springfield community. From 1951 to 1953, he served in the National Guard and was called to active duty in the U.S. Army during the Koran Conflict. On February 16, 1953, he married Lucille E. Straumann in Springfield. They lived and farmed in Springfield, Waverly and Stewart, before moving to Grove City in 1960. Darwin continued to farm in the Grove City area and later worked as a truck driver for Palm Sales of Grove City. Darwin and Lucille wintered in Weslaco, Texas for several years. Darwin was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Arndahl Cemetery Association. He enjoyed reading and watching television, especially westerns.

Darwin is survived by his wife, Lucille; his children, Linda (and Art) Riebe of Watkins, David (and Diane) Pautzke of Grove City, Bradley (and Linda) Pautzke of Willmar, Debra Jensrud of Hutchinson, Rick (and Susan) Pautzke of Grove City, Dale (and Stephanie) Pautzke of Grove City, Jim (and Tami) Pautzke of Middle River, Mary (and Kelly) Whitcomb of Atwater, Julie Skillman of Port Orchard, Washington and Michael (and Teresa) Pautzke of Litchfield. Also surviving are 21 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley (and Eugene) Duesterhoeft of Hutchinson and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Gary Pautzke in 1994 and a brother, Jerome Pautzke in infancy.