William J. "Bill" Hitz
April 22, 2011
William “Bill” J. Hitz, 90, of Crosslake, died Friday, April 22, 2011 at Golden Horizons Memory Care. Bill was born December 24, 1920, to Alvin and Henrietta (Thompson) Hitz in Polk City, IA. Bill attended Iowa State College, later known as Iowa State University, where he majored in Dairy Science and was a member of Eta Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR).
He married Ruth Kirkman on June 5, 1943. The couple raised three daughters, Barbara (Lowe), Janice (Johnson), and Joyce Hitz.
Following college, he returned to the family farm in Polk City and, in partnership with his father, developed a purebred Guernsey cattle herd. Rosebud Farm was host to many ISU judging teams as well as the National Guernsey Approved Judges. He was a world renowned cattle judge, having judged cattle in Scotland, the Royal Dairy Show in London, the island of Guernsey and every major state fair and national show in the United States.
Bill served as Secretary and then President of the Iowa Guernsey Breeder’s Association, President of the Iowa State Dairy Association. He was President of the first American Dairy Association of Iowa, and in 1961 became the President of the American Dairy Association. He served in this position for four years. During this time, he went to Bombay, India, for three months as the Chief of Mission of the US Trade Fair.
Bill served as treasurer of the Iowa State Fair for 12 years. It was through his fair associations that he became the Executive Secretary/Treasurer of International Motor Contest Association after he left the farm in 1965. He held this position until 1975.
Bill was a 32nd Degree Mason, 50-year member of the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine and a 50-year member of the Royal Order of Jesters. He was Past Director and Charter Member of the National Dairy Shrine Club, and in 1996 received the AGR Alumni Achievement Award.
In 1975, Bill and Ruth moved to Nisswa, MN. After moving to Pelican Lake, Bill sold lakeshore property for Kurilla Real Estate for five years. They moved to Crosslake in 2006.
In addition to his wife and three daughters, Bill leaves behind two sons-in-law, Terry Lowe, of Crosslake, and Larry Johnson, of Ramsey; grandsons, Brian (Nikki) Atkinson, Doug (Amy) Johnson; granddaughters, Shelly (Barry) Somrock, Shannon (Chad) Pietzsch, Heather (Dave) Eisenmenger, and Tammi (Al Gorman) Atkinson; and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at 11:00 AM, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 121 NW 60th Avenue. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Shrine Children’s Hospitals.
Online condolences may be made at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Dave Laverty
04/30/2011
Sorry to have missed the service. I thought about Bill while in Nisswa this week, and all the times we spent together.
Ike and Vicki Moeckly
04/26/2011
We send our love and sympathy for your loss. Bill was a wonderful man and will be missed by everyone who was fortunate to know him. We both have fond memories of him from our growing up years. Ike remembers that he gave him tickets to a car race at the state fairgrounds as a child and was so excited about that. Even though we no longer farm, we do remember farming your ground years ago, and that also brings back fond memories of Bill and how kind he was to Ike. We will always have fond memories of Bill, and his kindness.
Ike and Vicki Moeckly
Velma (Buche) & Don Reese
04/26/2011
To Bill's family,
It has been years since we were at family reunions. Bill had a busy, full life, and you will miss him. (I belonged to Louis & Marie Buche.) Bill accomplished many things in his 90 years--lots of memories to share.
Ginger Glenn
04/25/2011
It was good talking to you, Barb. What an amazing obituary. You all have so much to be proud of. You came from some 'good stock'. Please give your mom a hug for me and know that you are all in my heart and prayers. Love. Ginger G.
Sheila Pierson
04/25/2011
Dear Jo and Family,
I am so sorry to learn of your father's passing.
I wish you and your Mom and Sisters all the best.
With all my Love,
Sheila
Scott & Mary Bauercamper
04/25/2011
Dear Ruth, Jan, Larry & Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time of loss.
"Though the ones we love may leave life as we know it, in our memory, the love we know will always carry on."
Our greatest sympothy,
Scott & Mary Bauercamper
Sherri & Jack Blankinship
04/25/2011
Dear Ruth, Barb, Terry and Family,
We were so sorry to hear of Bill's passing! It's always a very difficult time, but we know he is in a better place now.
May God give you strength and courage in your time of loss! Our prayers are with you all.
Sherri & Jack