Helmuth Joachim Woetzel, age 81, of Litchfield (formerly of Dassel), was found deceased Wednesday, June 3, 2009, at his home in Litchfield.
He was born Sept. 16, 1927, in Hutchinson, the son of Richard and Gertrude (Faulvetter) Woetzel. Helmuth grew up in the Litchfield and Darwin area, where he attended school until his 10th grade and later received his GED degree.
Helmuth was united in marriage to Marian Elizabeth Nelson Aug. 13, 1950, at the Salem Lutheran Church in Longville, MN. They made their home in the Dassel, Cedar Mills, and Brownton areas, and in 1968, moved to a home on Pigeon Lake, where they lived until 1998, when they moved to Litchfield.
Helmuth enjoyed spending time outdoors, hunting deer and pheasant, and fishing. He loved to volunteer, driving his friends and church members who didn’t have transportation to doctor appointments.
He was lead man for many Habitat for Humanity construction projects in the Litchfield and Dassel area. Helmuth loved to spend time remodeling his kid’s homes, and even built two of his son’s homes.
He had traveled twice to Costa Rica with the church mission group to help with building projects in their villages. He will deeply be missed by his family and the many friends that he had.
Helmuth is survived by his children, Robert (Nyla) Woetzel of Hewitt, Ralph (Kathy) Woetzel of Dassel, Jerome (Sheryl) Woetzel of Morris, Jonathan (Mary) Woetzel of Dassel, and Randy Woetzel of Edinburg, VA; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and brothers Erhard (Violet) Woetzel of Dassel, and Conrad (Carol) Woetzel of Blaine.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marian; great granddaughter, Ariana; and parents.
The funeral service was Saturday, June 6 at 11 a.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Dassel with the Rev. Keith Carlson officiating. The organist was Harvey Peterson. Hymns were “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Amazing Grace.” Special music was “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” and “How Great Thou Art,” sung by Sheryl Woetzel. Interment was at the Dassel Community Cemetery.
Visitation was Friday, June 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel, and continued Saturday for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Casket bearers were Nathan Woetzel, Jonathan Wehler, Michael Woetzel, Nicholas Woetzel, Justin Woetzel-Rannow, Justin Grev, Nathan Wilhelm, and Joshua Revak.
Arrangements were by the Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel.
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