John Henry Kittleson

John Henry Kittleson, 96, of Minneapolis passed away on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Mount Olivet Careview Home in Minneapolis.

John was born August 22, 1925 in Mason City, Iowa. He grew up on a farm and attended Kittleson School in rural Joice, Iowa for eight years. He graduated from Joice High School as salutatorian in 1943. He was inducted into the U.S. army on April 12, 1945 and did basic training at Fort Hood, Texas. He served overseas in the World War II occupation army in Germany and worked in the army post office. He enjoyed furloughs in the French Riviera and Norway, land of his ancestors. He was honorably discharged in December 1946.

He attended Hamilton Business School in 1947. In 1948, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota to join his sweetheart, Lorna Petersen. They were married on September 10, 1949. They both graduated in 1950. They then moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin where John taught high school business and Lorna taught high school home economics. In 1951, they moved to Rochester, Minnesota where John taught high school business distributive education. Their daughter, Mary, was born there.

In 1952, they moved to Postville, Iowa along with Lorna’s parents, E.N. and Irene Petersen. John and his father-in-law purchased a hardware, plumbing, heating, and appliance store. John sold many appliances, televisions, and air conditioners. He later developed a dairy equipment business and sold bulk milk coolers to farmers over a large area. Then he became a sales representative for Skyline Harvester Equipment and later Diamond V Mills, where he was regional sales manager for two states.

In Postville, John and Lorna had 3 more children: Christine, Edward, and infant son, David, who died at birth. They were married 71 years until Lorna’s death in 2020.

John was also active in community service. He was chairman of the hospital board when a new hospital was built, and he raised funds for the Good Samaritan Nursing Home. He served as president of the Kiwanis Club, Sunday school teacher at St. Paul Lutheran Church, president of the Postville Commercial Club, and president and developer of East Park Terrace Condominiums.

He was president and chairman of Tri-State Interfaith Conferences at Luther College for 26 years. His faith was important to him, and he was a faithful witness for Lord Jesus Christ, speaking at many spiritual meetings.

In 2021 he moved to Mount Olivet Home to be near his daughter, Mary.

John is survived by his children: Mary (John) Anderson of St. Louis Park, Minnesota and Edward (Terri) Kittleson of McKinney Texas; four grandchildren: Ben (Sarah) Kittleson of Portland, Oregon, Anne (Greg) Jeneary of Le Mars, Iowa, Whitney (Justin) Otto of Memphis, Tennessee, and Matthew Sandell of Phoenix, Arizona; five great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mamie (Twito) Kittleson; his wife, Lorna; daughter, Christine; infant son, David; brothers Edgar, Orin, and Homer; and sisters Mildred, Helen, and Norma.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 13, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville.

Condolences may be directed to John’s daughter, Mary Anderson at 2246 Quebec Ave, S., St. Louis Park, MN 55426. In remembrance of John’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or to Good Samaritan Society in Postville.