Lydia Kalkbrenner

Lydia Kalkbrenner, age 96, of Atwater, died Wednesday morning, July 11, at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 16, at St. John Lutheran Church in Atwater. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Sunday, July 15, at the church and will continue one hour prior to the service on Monday. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Atwater Funeral Home in Atwater, www.petersonbrothers.com.

Lydia Emma Elsie Kalkbrenner was born January 17, 1922, in Atwater, Minnesota, the daughter of Frank and Marie (Schultz) Witte. She grew up in the Atwater community and attended St. John Lutheran School. On August 16, 1944, she married Wilfred Kalkbrenner at St. John Lutheran Church. They lived in the Paynesville area for a short time, before moving to the farm northwest of Atwater by Sperry Lake. Lydia moved in to Atwater in 2003 and to Copperleaf Senior Living in Willmar in 2010.

She was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church and was active in Ladies Aid and many other committees. She was a wonderful cook, and enjoyed the company. She enjoyed fishing with her husband and being on the farm. She always made sure that everyone felt special and was loved by many.

Lydia is survived by her son: Duaine (and Joyce) Kalkbrenner of Atwater; a grandson: Eric (and Sarah) Kalkbrenner of Little Falls; a granddaughter: Lynae Kalkbrenner of Atwater; two great-grandchildren: Brianna (and Matthew) Schmiedeker and Emma Whitmore; a great-great-granddaughter: Paisley Schmiedeker; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Wilfred in 2000; and two brothers: Arnold Witte and Fritz Witte.

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