Garritt Santema

Garritt Henry Santema, 82 year old resident of Little Falls, MN passed away on Friday, June 18 at his home in Little Falls, MN. Funeral services for Garritt will be held Monday, June 21 at 1:00 P.M. at the Camp Ripley inside the main gates. with Chaplin Gregg Valentine officiating. Burial will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at 2:00 P.M. friends may call from 3-6 PM on Sunday at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, MN and from 12:00 - 1:00 P.M. on Monday at the Camp Ripley Chapel. Military Rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post #46 in Little Falls, MN. Garritt H. Santema was born October 2, 1927 in Pease, MN to the late Hilly and Hattie (Millema) Santema. He grew up in the Pease area and attended school there. He enlisted in the United States National Guard January 16, 1951 and was honorably discharged on September 21, 1952 at Camp Rucker, Alabama. He was united in marriage to Arline Ziemer on January 9, 1951 in Milaca, MN. The couple lived in Milaca, MN and Alabama until moving to Little Falls, MN in 1967. Garritt worked at the Camp Ripley as a mechanic retiring on October 2, 1987. He enjoyed camping at the KOA campground on Fish Trap Lake near Cushing, MN. He loved spending time with his family and friends. Garritt enjoyed bowling and playing pool. He was a member of the Little Falls American Legion Post #46. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Arline Santema; children, Garritt Santema of Randall, MN, Barbara Erickson of Little Falls, MN, Gail Dean and husband, Chris, of Little Falls, MN and Greg Santema of Little Falls, MN; Nine grandchildren; brother, Harold Santema and wife, Marlys of Milaca, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.