Funeral services for Willard M. Kuethe, age 95, of Albert Lea, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at the Concordia Pickerel Lake Church. The Rev. Karen Rask-Behling will officiate. Interment will be in the Pickerel Lake Cemetery. Visitation is one hour prior to the services at the church.

Willard died Monday, Jan. 20, 2003, at St. John’s Lutheran Home.

Willard Manville Kuethe was born Nov. 18, 1907, to William and Amelia (Pestorious) Kuethe in Pickerel Lake Township. He attended rural schools and was a lifelong resident of Freeborn County. On Nov. 28, 1934, Willard was united in marriage to Louise Behr at Concordia Lutheran Church. Willard had lived and worked on the same farm his whole life. He enjoyed tractor pulls, watching Bandwagon, and spending time on the farm. Willard was a member of Concordia Pickerel Lake Church.

Survivors include his children: Ronald and wife Ada of Pickerel Lake, Delphine of Albert Lea, and Gayle and wife Vicki of Pickerel Lake; grandchildren: Lori and husband Wayne Ladwig, Rhonda and husband Mark Tufte, Brenda and husband Greg Johnson, Paula Kuethe and special friend, Dan, David Kuethe, Lisa and Jake Schleismem, Mitchell and wife Nancy Kuethe, and Douglas and wife Laura Kuethe; step-grandchildren: Larry and wife Heather Drommerhausen, and Eric and John Trytten; and niece, Darlene Lent of Wells. He is also survived by 17 great-grandchildren.

Willard was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Louise; son-in-law, Dale; granddaughter, Stacia; step-grandchildren, Mike and Lori Drommerhausen; and sisters.

Memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice. Special thanks to First North nurses and aides for their loving care and to Oscar Goskeson for his visits.