Vilas B. Britzman, 87, of New Lisbon and formerly of Clifton, passed away Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, at Mile Bluff Medical Center in Mauston, surrounded by his family.
He was born May 22, 1933, to Edwin J. and Velma M. (Kuehl) Britzman in the town of Clifton. He was baptized May 25, 1933, at his parents’ home and was confirmed on June 28, 1947, at St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church, Indian Creek. On Aug. 14, 1954, Vilas was united in marriage to Phyllis M. Zimmerman at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kendall. Throughout his lifetime, along with farming, Vilas had his own business hauling milk cans, was a patrolman for the Town of Clifton, was a driver for Walker Stainless Co. for 18 years, and retired from Korth Trucking in 1997.
Vilas was a lifelong devoted member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. Vilas’ greatest love was for his family, his wife Phyllis, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Spending time with all of them as much as possible was all he ever wanted in life. A simple man’s life surrounded by the love of his family.
His is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his children, Karen (Bobby) Nichols of Mauston, Don (Denise) Britzman of Kendall, Connie (Steve) Storkel of Tomah, LeAnn (Paul) Neitzel of Tomah, Larry (Michelle) Britzman of La Valle and David (Kathy) Britzman of Kendall; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Marcella Anderson, and two brothers-in-law, Bob Harrison, and Allie Schmitz. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Emil and Frieda Zimmerman; and his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Grace Schmitz, Doris Harrison, Clayton Brieske and Allan Anderson.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 297 E. South Railroad St., Kendall. Pastor Larry Neitzel and Pastor Conrad Prell will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in the Glendale Cemetery in Kendall. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Friday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.
The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home in Kendall is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Vilas’ memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, La Crosse Chapter, 3817 Mormon Coulee Road, Ste. B, La Crosse, WI, 54601 or by visiting https://act.alz.org/donate.
Online condolences can be offered to the family by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
