AUSTIN LEE WITTLIEF

Austin Lee Wittlief, 91, died Thursday, Feb. 11, at Lake Vew Memorial Hospital in Two Harbors.

Austin was born to Edward and Lilly Wittlief on a farm in Oronoco, Minn., and was the eldest of five siblings.

He married Luella Mueller in 1943, spent a few years working as a farmer in Moose Lake, then moved to Silver Creek and worked as a well driller for seven years. In his mid 30's he moved to Lyle, Minn., where he owned and operated the Gambles-Skogmo's Store and worked as a plumber, while he finished raising his daughter and two sons.

Upon retirement, he built a home in Silver Creek where his sons then resided, and carried on with his first love of hobby farming and especially gardening.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brothers, Ralph, Randall, Cub; and grandson, Jake Austin Jantzen.

He is survived by his sister, Ruth Horn; daughter and son-in-law, Ken and Sandy Johnson; sons and daughters-in-law, Norbert "Butch" Wittlief and Cathy Butler, Milt and JoAnne Wittlief; grandchildren, Krista Ice, Kendra Jantzen, Ryan Johnson, Kecia Winter, Miles and Carley Wittlief, and several great-grandchildren.

SERVICES: 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 in Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Castle Danger with a gathering of friends and family afterwards downstairs. Austin will be laid to rest next to Luella, at the Silver Creek Cemetery in the spring. Arrangements by Cavallin Funeral Home.