Jean Gitz

Jean Gitz, age 92, formerly a resident of Pelican Rapids, MN, died Monday, March 18, 2019 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living, Detroit Lakes, MN. Jean Muriel was born September 21, 1926 in Pelican Rapids, MN, to Emil and Mathilda (Thompson) Gitz.  She attended country school near Pelican Rapids. In the 1940’s, Jean and her sister Helen helped their father keep their family together after her mother passed away. During the 1950’s, in the Fall of the year, Jean and some of her siblings, and other neighbors in the area would pick potatoes for farmers in the Baker, Barnesville and Sabin areas. She worked as a waitress at the B&L Café in Pelican Rapids for a couple of years in the 1960’s. Jean worked for many years at the Swift Turkey Plant in Detroit Lakes, MN., retiring in the 1990’s. Her dogs were more than pets they were her children. She loved to give them her undivided attention. Jean enjoyed trying different crafts from sketching and painting, to making dolls or the many plastic canvas projects, which she graciously shared with family and friends. Flowers were another passion of Jean’s, she raised many varieties of indoor and outdoor flowering plants. She was always looking for a new recipe which resulted in quite a large collection of cookbooks. Jean also enjoyed going for drives in the country with her sister Helen. She lived in her own home in the country until moving into an apartment in Detroit Lakes at the age of 85. Jean has currently been living at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Detroit Lakes, MN. She is survived by brother Clifford (Darlene) Gitz, Pelican Rapids, MN; nephew Kevin Gitz, nieces: Bonnie (Lynn) Johnson, DeAnna Wahlstrom, Donna Wahlstrom, Doreen (Jeff) Dubay; cousins, great nieces and nephews, their families and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Walter and Vernon; and two sisters: Doris and Helen: nephew: Lee Gitz; brother-in-law: Duane Wahlstrom. Visitation: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Larson Funeral Home, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. Memorial Service: 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Larson Funeral Home. Clergy: Pastor Dale Pepelnjak Interment: Lake View Cemetery, Pelican Rapids, MN Please keep the Gitz family in your thoughts and prayers. Jean 's Memorial Folder