Dr. Milton W. Mootz

Dr Milton W Mootz, age 90 of Le Sueur, went to be with the Lord on January 22, 2013 at the Minnesota Valley Health Center in Le Sueur. Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 11 am at the United Methodist Church in Le Sueur. Interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Visitation is from 4 to 8 pm on Tuesday at the Kolden Funeral Home in Le Sueur and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Milton was born on October 2, 1922 in Lakota, North Dakota to Melvin and Julia (Johnson) Mootz. He graduated from Finley High School in 1941. Milton served in the military from 1942-1946 in the 29th Infantry Division Signal Corps, hitting Omaha Beach on June 8, 1944. On May 18, 1946 he was married to Ansoph (Ann) Stordahl in Minneapolis. After graduating from Illinois College of Optometry in 1949, they moved to Le Sueur where he opened his optometric practice. Milton officially retired in 2011, with the distinction of being the oldest licensed optometrist in the state of Minnesota, attending continuing education classes until the age of 88. Milton was heavily involved in his profession, the church and community over the years. He held leadership positions in the Minnesota Optometric Association and led seminars. He served on the Le Sueur city council and as mayor, volunteered with the Boy Scouts and Youth Opportunities to name just a few. He enjoyed 9 years hosting the Muscular Dystrophy Radiothon with Bill Russell and was a charter member of the Rotary Club. His church involvement included singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School and offering forward-looking ideas as a member of the Visioning Team. More recently, he enjoyed ten years playing his alto sax in the Minnesota Over 60 Band, also serving as their grant writer for a number of years. He also enjoyed wood refinishing projects and restoring his 1965 Baracuda. Milton was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Ann and his parents. He is survived by daughters, Linda (Duane) Sarazin of Hastings, Lori (Allan) Edeker of Prior Lake, Wendy (Dave) Gibson of Eden Prairie and Jane Mootz of Sartell; sons, Pastor Jerry (Roni) Mootz of Sioux Falls, SD and Dr Jeff (Carin) Mootz of Le Sueur; 21 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; sister, LaVerne (Clifford) Wiese. He is also survived by special friend, MaryLue Brinker and many nieces and nephews.