Willis Bechtel

Millitary Honors by the Donald V. Larson VFW Post #9607 of Butterfield, MN Willis Lyle Bechtel, the son of William and Louise (Voss) Bechtel was born on August 14, 1926, in Sherburn, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith in Buffalo Center, IA. He received his education in public schools in Bullalo Center. After graduating from high school, Willis entered the United States Navy and served as a Radioman on the USS Mount McKinnley. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, he entered the United States Air Force in 1951, and he served inKorea, and as an Air Traffic Controler in Japan. On March 11, 1951, Willis was united in Marriage to DeLorna Dee Mae Krough. He lived with his family in Fremont, NE from the time he was honorably discharged until 1971, when they moved to MountainLake, MN. While in Fremont he worked as a mechanic at Don's Texaco, and in Mountain Lake he worked at Land 'O Lakes and Kennel Aire. Willis was a history buff, and loved to spend time fishing with his children and grandchildren. Willis died on Friday morning, August 17, 2007 at the Good Samaritan Village in Mountain Lake. Willis is survived by his four children, Valerie Limbach and husband Lee of Freemont, NE, Cynthia Boldt and husband Merle of Mountain Lake, Gregory Bechtel and wife Kelli of Mountain Iron, MN, and Daunne Schaller and husband Chris of Lakeville, MN; nine grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; five sisters, Florence Childs of Janesville, MN, Dorothy Hans of Fergus Falls, MN, Elsie Johnson of Fairmont, MN, Evie Oeltjenbruns and husband John of Mountain Lake, and Doreen Adams and husband John of Austin, MN; many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife DeLorna M. Bechtel on July 5, 2007; two sisters, Ida Mae Pierson and Shirley Stough; and two brothers, Donald Bechtel and William Bechtel.