Harlen E. Pitts, age 88, of West Bend, passed away on Tuesday May 31, 2005, at the Cedar Lake Health Care Center in the Town of West Bend.
He was born on July 9, 1916, in Olive Hill, KY, to the late James and Jeanette (nee Sparks) Pitts. He grew up in Eagle River and graduated from Union Free High School. During WWII he enlisted in the United States Army where he served as a Corporal at Camp Roberts in California.
Harlen was united in marriage to Christina Weiss, his beloved wife of over 60 years, on November 25, 1944 in Chicago, IL. Together they became proprietors of Pitts Red Owl Agency in Land O'Lakes, WI and later of Pitts Grocery and Meats in Big Pine Key, FL.
He was a member of the Eagle River #248 F&AM of WI, and of the Land O'Lakes American Legion. In his free time Harlen loved to go fishing and bowling.
Harlen and Christina moved to Cedar Ridge in West Bend in 1994 so they could enjoy their retirement spending more time with their daughter and grandchildren.
Harlen is survived by his wife Christina; a daughter, Jane (Gary) Seymour of West Bend; two grandchildren, Andrew Seymour of Hartford, and Jennifer Seymour of Plainville, MA; a brother, Frank (Peggy) Pitts; two sisters, Audrey Dickman, and Elin (Jack) Ott; many other relatives and Friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Bruce Pitts; a sister Ina Laundrie; and two brothers; Harold and Wilmer Pitts.
A memorial service for Harlen will be held on Monday, June 6, at 11:00 am in the Celebration Room on the third floor of the Cedar Lake Health Care Center in West Bend. Chaplain Susan Kolb will officiate and burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery in Land O'Lakes at a later date.
Memorials may be sent to any children's Hospital or Shriner's Hospital.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Cedar Lake Health Care Center for the outstanding care and support they have received.