Ernest W. Tulowetzke

Mr. Ernest W. Tulowetzke, 77, of Annandale died Friday, July 27, 2001 at the St. Cloud Hospital.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 31, 2001 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Annandale with Rev. David Doppenberg officiating. Burial followed at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Marion of Annandale, 10 children and their spouses, Loisjean and Jim Fossen of Kimball, Ellamae and Kenny Blum of Windsor, Colo., Marlys Boyle and friend, Juan of Racine, Wisc., Arlys and Larry Roder of Ft. Collins, Colo., Luverne of Annandale, James and Angie of Elk River, Janet and Jim Boettcher of Centerville, LeRoy of South Haven, Raenelle and Alan Brotzel of Cedar, Brian and Kerry of Annandale, two sisters, Alice Roder of Montevideo, Bette Frickson and her husband, Ernest of Milbank, S.D., 29 grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren.
A grandson, Michael, granddaughter, JoDinna, and great-grandson, Oscar II, four brothers, and four sisters preceded him in death.
Ernest W. Tulowetzke was born May 12, 1924 in Milbank, S.D., the eighth child of Frederick W. and Emma L. (Geckler) Tulowetzke and was baptized on June 15, 1924. He attended country school for seven years and helped his father on the farm. At the age of six, his father built him a violin. Ernie had an ear for music and started playing guitar at the age of 22. He joined the U.S. Army on March 18, 1943 and was stationed in England, France and Germany during World War II. He was in the 82nd Airborne and received his honorable discharge on December 19, 1945. Some of the medals he earned in the military were the Combat Infantry Badge, Glider Badge, and Expert Thompson Sub Machine Gun Badge. When Ernie was home on furlough, his sister, Bette, introduced him to Marion M. Pratt. They were married on February 12, 1946 at Odessa. He was a maintenance worker for Dakota Granite Co., Milbank and Old Dutch Potato Chip Co., Minneapolis retiring in 1986. He was a member of Maple Lake VFW Post #7664 and St. John’s Lutheran Church. He enjoyed playing the guitar, wood crafting, and gardening.
Pallbearers: Todd Fossen, Troy Blum, Luverne, James, LeRoy, and Brian Tulowetzke.
Honorary pallbearers: Brandon Brotzel, Alvin Bengston, Norbert Koshiol and Clarence Fisher.