Virgil Francis Deutz was born on a farm two miles north of Marshall on February 22, 1927, to Joseph and Gertrude (Kerkvliet) Deutz. Holy Redeemer was Virgil’s church home. He received all of his sacraments there including baptism, first communion, confirmation and later, on August 28, 1948, he was united in marriage to Darlene Sovell. The couple made their home in Marshall where they adopted four children. Virgil worked as the construction engineer for Deutz & Crow and later Bornhoft Concrete. The couple also owned Deutz’ resort on Lake Andrew near Alexandria from 1969 until 1972. After retirement, he and Darlene enjoyed spending time with their family and friends at their home on Pickerel Lake in Ottertail County. Virgil enjoyed hunting deer and elk, fishing, flying his airplane, oil painting, card club, gardening and spending time with his grandkids. For the last three years, Virgil has lived at the Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall where he died on Thursday, October 03, 2013, surrounded by family. The family is most appreciative for the very compassionate care Virgil received at Morningside Heights.
Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Darlene (Sovell) Deutz, children Mark (and Brenda) Deutz of Marshall, Jane (and Greg) Janssen of Marshall, Josh (and Barbie) Deutz of Cottonwood, Jan (and Seth) Kahn of Medina, ten grandchildren: Parker and Kayla Deutz, Benjamin (and Amanda), Nathan and Nicholas Janssen, Radley (and Kelly), Shane and Justine Heinis and Maxwell and Abigail Kahn, five great-grandchildren, three sisters: Irene Osborne of Billings, MT, Mary Joan (and Don) Eichler of Rio Verde, AZ, and Jean Dirckx of Marshall. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Gertrude Deutz.
Blessed be his memory and may he rest in peace.
