Joe Lith

Joe Van Lith, age 68 of rural Big Stone City died November 4, 2013, in his home.

Services will be held Saturday morning, November 9, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank beginning at 10:30 a.m. Visitation will be held at Mundwiler Funeral Home Friday evening, November 8, from 5 – 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service. Music will be provided by Sandy Tucholke, organist; St. Charles Funeral Choir; Bob Arndt and Olivia Mettler, vocalists. Fr. Daniel Wolfgram will officiate. Military Honors will be provided by the Minnesota Army National Guard and burial will be in the St. Charles Cemetery in Big Stone City, South Dakota.

Joe M. Van Lith was born in Milbank, South Dakota to Nicholas and Edith (Schneider) Van Lith on December 12, 1944. He attended school in Big Stone City and went on to receive an AA degree in accounting from the University of Texas in El Paso. On November 15, 1969, Joe married Loretta Brotzel in Ortonville, Minnesota. To this union three children were born.

Joe enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard on July 29, 1965. During his 36 years of service he attained the highest enlisted rank of Command Sergeant Major. CSM Van Lith served in a variety of positions. Most noteworthy were: First Sergeant, 1st BN, 175th Field Artillery; Operations Sergeant, HHB 1st BN, 175th Field Artillery; Division Command Sergeant Major, 47th Infantry Division; Chief Operations Sergeant, HHC 34th Infantry Division and Operations Sergeant for the Plans, Operations, and Training Office, Headquarters State Area Command. CSM Van Lith was a visionary, a mentor, and a true professional Soldier. He always had an opinion and those opinions were valued and used to sustain the readiness of the Minnesota Army National Guard.

Joe was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church in Big Stone City, the Milbank American Legion, and the Grant County VFW. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and lending a helping hand to anyone in need. He would often "adopt" people into the family who needed a dad, son, or best friend. Joe showed his great strength and determination throughout his life and especially during his short battle with cancer.

Cherishing his memory are his wife, Loretta of Big Stone City; his children: Michelle (Richard) Mettler of Long Prairie, MN; Matthew (Jennifer) Van Lith of Cold Spring, MN; and Nicole (Rob) White of Blaine, MN; eight grandchildren: Emily Mettler, Hannah Mettler, Olivia Mettler, Parker Van Lith, Teagen Van Lith, Adleigh Van Lith, Mason White, and Eden White; his siblings: George (Karla) Van Lith of Mankato, MN; Dennis (Rachelle) Van Lith of Round Rock, TX; Nick (Bette) Van Lith of Clinton, MN; John Van Lith of Milbank, SD; Ann (Harry) Bolkcom of Fridley, MN; and Theresa Van Lith of Big Stone City, SD.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Tom; and his sister Marcy.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials be given to Rice Hospice or St. Charles Catholic Church, Big Stone City, SD.