Elden M. Dutschmann, 85, died Jan. 17, 2011, at Promise Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson.

He was born May 20, 1925, the son of Paul C. and Dora Ida Schultz Dutschmann.

A WWII veteran, he was a staff sergeant with the United States Air Force where he received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, the American Legion Lysle Rishel Post No. 68, Hutchinson, and the V.F.W. No. 6240 in Russell, Kan. A Hutchinson resident since 1958, Elden retired from Winchester Packing and Lawrence Vending.

On May 8, 1948, he married Corinne W. Nuss in McAllen, Texas. She died Nov. 29, 2007.

Survivors include: a son, Richard Dutschmann and wife, Leticia, of Mission, Texas; two daughters, Lynda Koehn and husband, Shannon, of Hutchinson, Dora Dutschmann of Wichita; three sisters, Goldie Dutschmann of Houston, Texas, Alice Paulos of Milwaukee, Wis., Betty Sue VanHorn of Bellevue, Texas; four grandchildren, Josh P. Koehn and wife, Kelly, Jana C. Koehn, Corinna J. Dutschmann, Kimberlly M. Dutschmann; and a great grandson, Josiah W. Koehn. He was preceded in death by his wife, brother, David Dutschmann, and two sisters, Joyce Buck and Elaine Kurz.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 21, 2011, at Elliott Chapel with Pastor Luke Helmuth presiding. Friends may call 5 to 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday with family to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Elliott Chapel. Burial will be in Fairlawn Burial Park.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, Hutchinson.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a personal message for Elden's family.