Jimmie Gene Huitt, 77, of Glencoe

Jimmie Gene Huitt, 77, of Glencoe, died Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, at his home, with family by his side after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Memorial services were held Thursday, Jan. 8, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe with the Rev. James Gomez officiating. Marjorie Hemmann was the organist. Soloist Vicki Schultz sang “In the Garden” and “Because He Lives.” Congregational hymns were “The Old Rugged Cross” and “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Military honors were by Glencoe American Legion Post 95.
Urn bearers were Margaret and Merlyn Eiden and Clarence and Ann Swanson. Interment will be at a later date in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Jimmie Gene Huitt was born Nov. 11, 1937, in Ingalls, Ark. He was the son of Oscar Well and Lola Bea (Baker) Huitt of Ingalls, Ark. He was baptized Aug. 1, 1952, at Eagle Lake Cross Roads Baptist Church in Ingalls, and was confirmed in his faith on Aug. 24, 1978, by the Rev. Laurence Meyer at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg. He was educated in Vick, Ark., graduating with the Vick High School class of 1955. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on Jan. 19, 1957, and served his country 221⁄2 years until retirement on Aug. 1, 1978. He retired as a master sergeant. He served one tour of duty in Thailand.
On Sept. 9, 1961, he was united in marriage to Lorraine “Lori” Ann Burdorf by the Rev. L.T. Wohlfiel at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Hamburg. They made their home in Michigan, California and Texas and, after his retirement from the military, they made their home in Glencoe. Their marriage was blessed with four sons, John, Dale, Scott and Alan. The couple shared over 53 years of marriage together.
After Mr. Huitt retired from the military, he worked for Sickmann Electric in Arlington, Green Giant in Glencoe, Silver Lake Hatchery in Silver Lake, Nordic Track in Belle Plaine and Glencoe, and Landscape Structures in Delano. He was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Glencoe and Gideons International. He was a life member of the American Legion. From 1972 to 1984, Mr. Huitt was an active member of the Cub Scouts program, serving as cub master and Webelos leader. He also was a member of the New Auburn Pioneer Senior Citizens and the Glencoe Seniors.
Mr. Huitt was an avid gardener, having a commercial garden for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing cards, especially cribbage and sheephead. He loved the time spent with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Lorraine “Lori” Huitt of Glencoe; sons, John Huitt (friend Ron) of Fort Wayne, Ind., Dale (Carrie) Huitt of Glencoe, Scott (Meldene) Huitt of Dickinson, N.D., and Alan (Kathy) Huitt of Buffalo Center, Iowa; grandchildren, David Huitt, Ashley Huitt (fiancé Dennis Mikula), Sarah Huitt, Jessie Huitt, Seth Huitt and Willow Huitt; brother, Jerry (Earlin) Huitt of Hermitage, Ark.; sister, Lizzie Best of Hermitage, Ark.; sisters-in-law, Ruth Huitt of Warren, Ark.; Lily Dammann of Lester Prairie; Lois (Warren) Budach of St. Paul, Norma (Fred) Scott of San Antonia, Texas, and Irma (James) Beebe of Nagutuck, Conn.; brothers-in-law, Arnold (Sandy) Burdorf of Hamburg and Wilbert (Cathy) Burdorf of New Ulm; special friends, Victoria and Steve Schultz; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Lola Bea Huitt; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Paul and Helen Burdorf; grandson, William Huitt; brother, Wilford Huitt; sister, Madge York; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul York, Joe Best, Wilmer Dammann and Ben (Esther) Trebelhorn.
Arrangements are with the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe. Online obituaries and guest book are available at www.hantge.
com.