Max Arthur Guritz, age 83, of Austin died Friday, Feb. 15, 2008 at Maple Manor Care Center in Rochester.

He was born August 23, 1924 in Albert Lea to John and Helen (McFarland) Guritz. He graduated from Austin High School in the Class of 1942 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. Max was married to Audrey Barclay on June 2, 1946 at the Oakland Midway Lutheran Church in Oakland. He was a retired salesman, having worked with Moorman Feeds and The Fuller Brush Company. He owned and operated the Springsoft Water Softner Company in Austin. He was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Austin Post #91 American Legion and Olaf B. Damm Post #1216 Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Max was an avid Twins fan and enjoyed fishing and playing bingo. He also enjoyed watching his family play softball and he loved to bake. He also did volunteer work at Austin area nursing homes and was a volunteer driver.

Max was preceded in death by a brother, John Guritz Jr., grandson James Ruud and granddaughter Jessica Slowinski.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with The Rev. Ron Barnett officiating. Interment will be in the Oakland Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be at The Clasen-Jordan Mortuary on Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. and at St. Olaf Lutheran Church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Organist will be Neal Erickson.

Casket Bearers will be Scott Ruud, Joe Slowinski, Jon Olson, Katie Slowinski, Jake Ruud and Paul LaPlant.

Max is survived by his wife, Audrey Guritz, Austin; daughter, Judy (Patrick)

McGuire, Austin; son, Jerry (Marlys) Guritz, Richfield; daughters, Jean (Roger) Slowinski, Gretna, Neb. and Janet Olson, Rochester; sister, Marilyn (Harold)

Lyman, Grand Rapids; four grandchildren; one great grandson.