Elmer Dulitz

WEBSTER- Elmer Dulitz 85, of Webster, died on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at Sanford Hospital in Webster. His funeral will be at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, October 18, 2007 at the United Methodist Church in Webster, Rev. John Hisel officiating. Burial will the in the Webster Cemetery. Visitation will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster on Wednesday, 4-7 P.M. and prior to services on Thursday. The family prefers memorials to be directed to the Gideon Bible Society, P.O. Box 159, Webster, SD 57274. Elmer Frederick Dulitz was born on Thursday, February 23, 1922 to Frank and Louise (Roehrich) Dulitz on the family farm in Morton Township, Day County, South Dakota southeast of Webster. He was baptized and confirmed at the Morton Methodist Church in Morton Township. He attended country school near his home and graduated from Webster High School in 1940. He then moved to California where he was employed at Lockhead Aircraft. In June 1944 he entered the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II on LST 836 as a mechanic in charge of service and repair of diesel engines that powered the ship. Later he entered occupied Japan after the war had ended. After his honorable discharge in May 1946 he moved to Milbank where he worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone. On August 3, 1947 he married Hazel Erdmann at Webster, South Dakota. The couple made their home in Milbank. In 1949 they moved to Webster where Elmer began farming with his father. In 1951 he purchased his own farm in Wheatland Township where he was a dairy farmer. In 1984 he semi-retired and leased the farm to his son, David. During his retirement he continued to help on the farm. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Webster where he taught Sunday School and served on the church board. He was a member of the Day County Soil Conservation Board. He was a life member and past commander of the Webster V.F.W. Post 4690 and also was a member of Herbert McKennett Post 40, American Legion in Webster. Elmer loved being with his grandchildren. Elmer passed away on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at Webster, South Dakota at the age of 85 years, 7 months and 18 days. Survivors include his wife, Hazel of Webster; two sons, David (Marilyn) Dulitz and Paul ( and special friend, Lorraine Hinders) Dulitz both of Webster, SD; one daughter, Diane (Jim) Olson of St. Louis Park, MN; one brother, Wesley (Ruth) Dulitz of Webster, SD; two sisters, Margaret Wildhaber of Chehalis, WA and Catherine Beatty-Holt of Sonoma, CA; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.