Phillip Pitzen

Phillip M. Pitzen, age 99, of Storm Lake, Iowa, died on Saturday, October 20, 2012, at the Newell Good Samaritan Center in Newell, Iowa. Phillip Matthew Pitzen, the son of Joseph John and Anna (Michaels) Pitzen, was born in St. Peter, Minnesota, on January 4, 1913. He was also baptized in St. Peter. At a young age, Phil moved with his family to Storm Lake where he lived his youth and received his education. He graduated from St. Maryâ€™s Catholic High School at the age of 16 and continued his education at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake. Phil received his bachelorâ€™s degree from Buena Vista in history with a minor in botany. He faithfully served his country in the United States Army during World War II and also had the distinction of playing in the Army Band. On November 11, 1942, Phil was united in marriage to Doris Osweiler at St. Columbkille Catholic Church at Varina, Iowa. This couple was blessed with three children: Mary, Joseph, and Philip. Following their marriage and while Phil was in the service, they resided in Colorado and later moved to Clinton, Iowa, where he worked at Schick General Hospital as a lab technician. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and the couple moved to Pocahontas where Phil worked in a shoe store. For the next 49 years, Phil and Doris resided on their farm between Newell and Storm Lake where they were engaged in farming and raised their family. After they retired, they spent the next 10 years at their condominium in Storm Lake. Since 2006, they have made their home at the Newell Good Samaritan Center. Phil was a member of the St. Maryâ€™s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. He was very musically gifted and directed the St. Maryâ€™s Menâ€™s Choir and also played in the Storm Lake Municipal Band and served as their treasurer. Phil was a lifetime member of the Catholic Order of Forrestors. Other clubs that he held a membership in were the Elks Club and the Newell American Legion. Phil enjoyed cars, dancing, and traveling. He and Doris enjoyed many European trips, as well as, trips to Alaska. His family held a very special place in his life and he showed his love and support for them by attending many baseball games and activities of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Philâ€™s life and memory will always be celebrated and cherished by his family which include his wife of 70 years, Doris, of Newell, Iowa; his children: Mary Proctor of Storm Lake, Iowa; and Philip Pitzen and his wife, Joan Skogstrom, of Des Moines, Iowa; his grandchildren: Christopher, Angela, Matthew, Joshua, and Susan; his great grandchildren: Marcus, John, Tom, Kathryn, Sarah, Susan, Jacob, Tanner, Elizabeth, Grace, Mattie, Joseph, and Lauren; and his many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Joseph, in 1965; and his twin brother who died at birth. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Philâ€™s memory to the Newell Good Samaritan Society.

Phillip Pitzen

January 4, 1913 - October 20, 2012