Daniel C. Blitz

1923 - 2017

Blitz, Daniel C.

Daniel C. Blitz, age 93, lifelong Manitowoc resident, passed away early Wednesday morning, March 1, 2017 at the Manitowoc Health & Rehabilitation Center with his family at his side.

Dan was born April 26, 1923, in Stevens Point, the son of Clara Mellberg and William Watson. He was adopted by Vernon Blitz after his father died in 1929. Daniel graduated from Lincoln High School and attended the UW Madison. Dan enjoyed a lifelong career with Lakeside Foods and served on the Board of Directors for many years after his retirement in 1995. On July 14, 1945 Dan married Shirley Wedertz in Manitowoc. They enjoyed 60 years together before she passed away in May of 2006. They raised two daughters, Janice and Betsy.

Dan was a true American Hero. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and served his beloved country during WWII. He was one of 10 crew members on a B-17 that was shot down over Austria. Dan was one of 2 crew members to survive the crash, only to spend the next 13 months in Stalag 17B as a prisoner of war. In May 1945, at the end of the European conflict, he took part in a 200 mile "forced march" to freedom.

Dan had a great appreciation and love for the outdoors. He enjoyed a lifetime of fishing, hunting, photography, and countless hours watching his backyard birds. His stock pile of birdseed also attracted neighborhood squirrels, entertaining him with their crazy antics. Dan always had an abundance of bird feeders and birds outside his window, wherever he lived these past two years.

Dan will be remembered for his endless compassion and generosity. Dan would give the shirt off his back to help his fellow man or any of God's creatures. His incredible sense of humor, quick wit and perpetual good mood will be treasured memories to all who knew him.

Dan was a member of First Lutheran Church, VFW Otto-Oas Post #659, The Masons, Shriners, Elks, and the Lakeshore Humane Society.

He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law: Janice (Don) Soeldner, Orlando, FL, and Betsy (Tom) Kocourek, Two Rivers; eleven grandchildren: Amy Soeldner, Atlanta; Dan Soeldner, Green Bay; Sarah (John Peter) Trask, Orlando, FL; Rebecka Soeldner, Orlando, FL; Bruce (Beth) Robinson, Maribel; Katie Robinson, Brian Robinson, Thom White, and Anna (Jerrod) Beatty all of Manitowoc; Becky (Dan) Scharnhorst, Wilkes-Barre, PA; and Jill (Tim) Schaus, Naples FL; seven great-grandchildren, Ryan Soeldner, Olivia and Alexander Trask, Rori and Elias Beatty, Max and Maddie Scharnhorst; two nephews: Jeff (Judy) Lund and Doug Quick: special family and friends: Mary and Larry Bohn, Tom and Judy Rauchenberger, Karen Rotter, and Mary Koss, other relatives and friends also survive. Dan was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Aliene Allard, two nieces and one Grandson Michael Soeldner.

A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at the First Lutheran Church, 521 North 8th Street, Manitowoc. Rev. Roald Harswick will officiate with burial of his cremated remains to follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded at the cemetery by the VFW Otto-Oas Post #659 of Manitowoc. Relatives and friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Woodland Dunes Nature Center or the Lakeshore Humane Society in Dan's name. The Jens Family Funeral Home & Crematory of Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.jensreinboldandpfeffer.com

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to all the special caregivers at the Manitowoc Health & Rehabilitation Center for the love and kindness shown to Dan. It was a blessing to know that he had loving hands caring for him.