Lt. Col (USAF) Iver C. Fitschen, 96, of Vero Beach, Florida, peacefully entered Heaven under Hospice care on June 20th, 2014.

Iver, born Jan. 2, 1918 in Goodhue County, MN to Louis and Frieda (Kahl) Fitschen, attended Central High School in Red Wing; class of 1935. He attained an accounting degree from the Minnesota School of Business and subsequently worked for Swift and Co. Years later, he furthered his education, receiving a BA degree from the University of Maryland.

Lt Col Fitschen was a decorated veteran involved in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

He joined the Army Air Corps in 1941, becoming a navigator during WWII. One of his favorite stories was of flying "Mosquitos" over the English Channel to conduct weather reconnaissance prior to D-Day. His military career also included becoming a pilot in the Air Force towards the end of WWII. He was part of the 388th Bombardment Group.

In or around 1947, he became the Assistant Air Attache to the American Embassy in Wellington, NZ, whereupon he met his future bride, Aylsa Hamilton.

Upon returning to the States, he was assigned to SAC; flying B-47s. He participated in the Korean War flying missions and assisted in the closing of bases. During the Vietnam War, he was stationed at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan, overseeing and commanding supply missions.

Iver is predeceased by his sister Lucille, brother Ervin, daughter Ann and both of his parents. He is survived by his wife Aylsa, his daughter Linda, as well as, his three grandchildren.

Iver will be honored by a military ceremony during a memorial service to be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church 1850 6th Ave. in Vero Beach, Fla. at 1pm Saturday July 26th.