John Henry Garritsen

John Henry Garritsen was born on December 15, 1925 to John and Goldie (Sparks) Garritsen in Marshall, Minnesota. He grew up in Lake Benton and attended Diamond Lake country school. He worked on various farms until January 29, 1945 when he enlisted in the United States Army. John served in the South Pacific during World War II in a heavy weapons company. He was honorably discharged on March 16, 1946 and returned to Lake Benton. On April 19, 1947 John married Donna Wigton at the St. Genevieve Catholic Church parsonage in Lake Benton. Their union was blessed with six children and 43 years of life together. The couple made their home in Marshall, then Sioux Falls, and returned to Lake Benton in 1968. John worked as a truck driver for various companies and hauling heavy equipment for a construction company. Donna died in 1991. John continued to live at his Lake Benton home until December 2012 when he moved to Lake Benton Valley Manor. He entered the care of the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Friday, March 25, 2016 where he died on Monday, March 28 at the age of 90.

John was a member of St. Genevieve Catholic Church, Henry Sollie American Legion Post #10, and the Veterans of Foreign War. He enjoyed gardening and fishing, and riding his scooter around town (with occasional off-road travel). He liked visiting with people, and especially liked spending time with his family.

John is lovingly remembered by his children, Judy (Roc) Graft of Windom, MN, Terry Garritsen of Lake Benton, MN, and John Douglas Garritsen (Bonnie Lewis) of Windom, MN; 11 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, June Stanton of Russell, MN; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; two sons, Steve and David; a daughter, Linda Gusler; his brother, Hubert; and his sister, Rachel Wartner.

Blessed be his memory.