Vinton Arthur Koeritz

Vinton Arthur Koeritz was born on May 10, 1927 in Northrop, MN to Arthur and Lena (Roehler) Koeritz. He was baptized on May 10, 1927 by Rev. C.C. Metz and confirmed on April 6, 1941. Butch attended St. James Lutheran School and Fairmont High School graduating in 1945. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1945 and was honorably discharged in 1947, attaining the rank of Sergeant. On October 9, 1949 Vinton was united in marriage to Lila Mae Becker at St. James Lutheran Church in Northrop. Butch worked for his father at Northrop Implement from 1947 until 1964. He started Martin County Implement in Fairmont in 1964 and ran it until 1970. Butch went to work for Fairmont Railway Motors until he retired in 1989. Butch was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church in Northrop, holding many offices at the church. He was a charter member of the Northrop Legion Post 522 and a member of the Martin County VFW Post 1222 in Fairmont. Butch enjoyed fishing, gardening and golfing. Butch died on Sunday, March 22, 2009 at his home in Northrop. Butch is survived by his wife of fifty-nine years, Lila Mae Koeritz, Northrop; one son, Thomas Koeritz and his wife Heidi of Northrop; one son-in-law, Warren Schultze and his wife Carole of Northrop; five grandchildren, Stacie Schultze, South Hadley, MA, Jennifer Schultze, San Mateo, CA, Nicholas Schultze, Estherville, IA, Hayley and Mason Koeritz, Northrop; one sister, Mary Ann Harder and her husband Melvin of Fairmont; one sister-in-law, Arlene Schaefer of Fairmont; one brother-in-law, Erhardt Becker of Fort Meyers, FL; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents; one daughter, Linda Schultze; two sisters, Esther Gatzke and Dorothy Koeritz. Memorials are preferred to Martin Luther High School and St. James Lutheran Church and School.