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Merritt Duane "Dutch" Klotz, 87, of Kennard, passed away Aug. 8, 2018, at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11 at Emmaus Lutheran Church in Kennard. Burial will follow in the Kennard Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 10 at Campbell Aman Funeral Home with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

Dutch was born on April 17, 1931, in the house which his parents, Max and Margaret Wrich Klotz, built on their farm south of Kennard. He attended Rispen and Peaceful Hill Country Schools, Blair and Kennard high schools, graduating from Kennard in 1949. He attended Sunday School at Grace Methodist Church and later became a member of Emmaus Lutheran Church. Working on the farm, 4-H, playing baseball and roller skating were favorite past times of his youth.

Dutch served in the Army from March 1952 until December 1953. After basic training at Ft. Riley, Kan., he served on the front lines in Korea. He received the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal (Given in 2000 on the 50-year anniversary of the Korean War).

In 2017, Dutch was proud to receive the "Quilt of Valor" at Veteran's Day program at the Blair Legion Club. This beautiful quilt was made by the Blair Bunch Quilters.

On Aug. 15, 1952, Dutch and Norma Sue Jahnel were married at the Emmaus Lutheran Church in Kennard. After his discharge from the Army, he farmed, worked in construction and plumbing. Dutch played ball on the Kennard Town Team, bowled with the New Deal team, golfed and enjoyed playing cards with "our card club" for over 60 years. Vacations with the bowling team, card club and trips to Japan, Italy and many of the states filled the later years.

He was a life member of the Kennard Legion No. 366 where he served as adjutant and commander, a life member of the Arlington VFW where he held offices and helped cook for their monthly suppers. He belonged to the “40 & 8,” Blair Eagles, served nine years on the Board of Good Shepherd Home in Blair, during which time the assisted living unit was added. Dutch also served as secretary and treasurer at Emmaus Church, the Kennard School Board and the Kennard Fire Department and Rescue Squad.

Dutch was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Chris Wrich Klotz, sister, Beverly Maxine Limbeck, and infant daughter, Brenda Sue, who died in 1968.

Dutch is survived by his wife of almost 66 years, Norma Sue; four children and their spouses: Michael (Susan) Klotz of Corpus Christie, Texas, Lynn (Joe) Stivers of Kennard, Doug (Deb) Klotz of Omaha, and Tim Klotz of Blair; grandchildren: Mandi (Kris) Klotz Willis, Nathan Klotz, John Klotz, Amy (Ryan) Klotz Wheatley, J.R. Stivers, Katie (Chad) Stivers Ballinger, Richard (Susanne) Lucero, Blanca (Jeff) Lucero O'Brien and Timi (Mark) Lucero Swarm; great-grandchildren: Brooklyn Ballinger, Jessica Lucero, Adam O'Brien, Alex O'Brien, and Keli (Nathan) Thelan, Megan Runge, Paige (Chris) Smith, Kyle Branum, Joe, Micah, Susanne and Charlie Diane Willis; great-great-grandchildren: Tayden Lucero, Hunter and Paisley Smith and Harrison O'Brien; sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis (Warren) Nielsen of Kennard; sister -in-law, Rose Sapp of Omaha; and many other relatives and friends.

Memorials are suggested to Emmaus Lutheran Church, Kennard Fire Department or Good Shepherd Home.

~~~Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clipping on file at the Blair Public Library.

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