Willie H. Oltmans

WILLIE HENRY OLTMANS was born to Fred and Minnie (Ahliets) Oltmans on June 29, 1926, in Rushmore, Minnesota. He was raised and attended grade school there. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He had his training from May-Aug 1944, and then spent time serving on three ships: USS Winged Arrow (AP-170), a troop carrier, from August 1944 - March 1945, USS Meredosia (IX-193), a tanker, from March 1945 - July 1945, and lastly aboard USS Point Cruz (CVE-119), an aircraft carrier, from July 1945 - May 1946. He was injured during the January 1945, invasion of Lingayen Gulf, Philippines, which eventually led to his honorable discharge in May of 1946.

On February 12, 1949, Willie was united in marriage to Elsie Ann Schmidt in Flandreau, South Dakota. The couple settled in Luverne, Minnesota. Willie worked at a service station before the couple moved to Tracy, Minnesota. In 1959, he started building the Tyler Motel in Tyler, Minnesota and it opened in 1960. Willie and Elsie Ann ran the motel side by side for 15 years. He also worked at the nearby Amoco station. They then moved to Slayton, Minnesota and operated a bar and restaurant for a few years until ultimately moving to Lake Benton, Minnesota and doing odd jobs until retirement. Elsie preceded Willie in death on April 11, 2000. He was reunited with her February 1, 2019, when he died at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne at the age of 92 years, seven months, and two days.

Willie was a dedicated member of the American Legion and earned his Certificate of Continuous Service for 73 years. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, woodworking, card playing and making soup including one of his specialties, turtle soup!

Willie is survived by his son, Steven Oltmans of Arvada, Colorado; granddaughters, Lori (Brad) Kautzer and Jessica (Matt) Lynch; grandson, Anthony (Rebecca) Dressen; and great-grandchildren, Cole, Lexi, Fletcher, Isabelle, Sophia and Wyatt. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie Ann; parents; three brothers; and daughter, Lou Ann.