Milton E. Thisius, 85, of Wells, died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007, at the Mapleton Community Home. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells with a prayer service at 8 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday, beginning with a Rosary at 10 a.m. The Rev. Eugene Stenzel will officiate and burial will be in St. Casimir Cemetery in Wells, with military honors by the Wells Color Guard.

Milton Edward Thisius was born Jan. 31, 1922, in Clark Township, Faribault County, the son of Edward and Anna Emma (Niebuhr). He attended school in Wells. He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in September 1942 and continued flying after his honorable discharge. Milton was united in marriage to Irene Kulla on May 27, 1946. The couple farmed for many years in rural Wells. Milton was a member of St. Casimir Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus as a Third-Degree Grand Knight and Fourth-Degree Faithful Navigator. He was also a member of the Wells American Legion and the Wells Color Guard. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, dancing, reading and his family gatherings.

He is survived by his wife Irene of Wells; four children: Sharon (husband Jerry) Alexander of Centerville, Jeff (wife Sue) Thisius of Rochester, Cynthia (husband Tom) Friedberg of Lumberton, N.J., and John (wife Marcy) Thisius of Wells; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one sister: Elaine Larson of Bremerton, Wash.; and three sisters-in-law: Celeste (Mrs. Alvin) Thisius of Mankato, Joan (Mrs. Orville) Thisius of Concord, Calif., and Wilma (Mrs. Gerald) Thisius of Wells.

Preceding him in death were his parents; two sisters: Marcelline Oien and Beverly in infancy; and three brothers: Gerald, Alvin and Orville.