Willis George Schlatter, son of Gerhart and Hattie Hochberger Schlatter, was born July 23, 1934, between Sumner and Hawkeye in rural Fayette County, Iowa. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner. He received his education in the rural schools near Sumner.
On October 10, 1959, he was united in marriage with Valitha Dunahoo at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner. Willis farmed and milked cows for many years prior to retiring in 1999. He continued to help his son on the farm until his death which occurred at his rural Sumner home on Thursday, March 25, 2010. He was 75 years old.
In addition to his wife, Valitha of Sumner, he is survived by one son, Chris of Sumner; two daughters, Jackie Schlatter of Sumner and Julie Allison of Fredericksburg; three grandchildren, Leona Schlatter, and Tanner and Zoie Allison; one sister, Phyllis Jaschen of Frederika; and two step-sisters, Bonnie Fink of Sumner; and Annette (Wayne) Stufflebeam of Evansdale.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Lorraine Rieck; his stepfather, Bernard Nolte; and two brothers-in-law, Vaylard Rieck and Arnold Jaschen.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 29, 2010, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner with Rev. William Runaas, Jr. officiating. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, March 28, 2010, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one hour preceding services at the church on Monday. Inurnment will be at a later date at Fremont Cemetery of rural Tripoli.
