Ivar Goltz

In the early morning hours of Saturday, September 27, 2008, Ivar was called home by the Lord. Ivar was the last of eleven children born to John and Karen (Lofgren-Perrson) Goltz on May 28, 1920, on the family farm in Adrian Township, Watonwan County, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at West Sveadahl and attended rural school through 8th grade in Sveadahl. Ivar dairy-farmed with his dad as well as being a hired hand for his neighbors. Ivar entered into the Army-Air Corps on October 9, 1942, leaving from Ft. Snelling by train to Big Springs, TX where he was stationed until he left for duty overseas. It was in Big Springs where he married Lillian Bakken on June 19, 1943. While overseas, he was stationed at Bismarck Archipelago Islands, New Guinea Island, Southern Philippines (Site of World War II), and Luzon Island. He received his honorable discharge on December 28, 1945, at Camp McCoy, WI. Ivar and Lillian dairy-farmed their entire married life in Adrian Township until moving to Nelson Township in March of 1964. They moved to St. James in the fall of 1981, where they lived until Lillian passed away on September 28, 1988. Ivar married Leona Hanson-Bakken on November 4, 1989, and moved to Hanska where they lived until Leona passed away in June of 2003. Ivar then moved to Ross Park Apartments in Sleepy Eye until November of 2006 when he lived with his granddaughter Amber and husband Nathan Lang. Ivar entered Pleasant View Good Samaritan Home in St. James in January of 2007. Ivar enjoyed playing slo-pitch softball with a team from Sveadahl. He was a lifetime member of West Sveadahl Church where he sang in the choir and served on the church board. He was a member of the St. James VFW and joined New Hope Lutheran Church in Comfrey in 2007. He loved spending time with his family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and many friends. Survivors include his daughter Ilene (Leland) Haugen and son Virgil (Rae) Goltz, all of Comfrey; 11 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Lillian in 1988; infant twin daughter Irene in 1946; daughter Patricia in 2002; wife Leona in 2003; son-in-law Dale Schlottman in 2003; brothers Oscar Gotfried, Nels Oscar, infant Erik and William; and sisters Emma Larson, infant Anna, Anna, Elsie Freeman, Martha Kratz and Anne Kratz.