Delbert Marvin Kittelson, 89, of International Falls, Minn., died peacefully, surrounded by his family Saturday, April 14, 2012, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Duluth, Minn.
He was born Jan. 11, 1923, in Swift, Minn., the son of Conrad and Florence (Fish) Kittelson.
In 1926 he traveled by train with his family from Swift, Minn., to International Falls, Minn., where they settled.
He graduated from Falls High School in 1941. After graduation he went to work for Mando Paper Company, in the cutter room. He transferred to the paint department in 1946; where he worked until 1985 when he retired with 44 years of employment for Boise Cascade.
He was united in marriage Aug. 13, 1943, to Arlyss Stone; they enjoyed 66 years of life together. The ceremony took place at the pastor’s house of the Holler Mission Covenant Church, currently Evangelical Covenant Church.
The next day he shipped out to serve his country in the United States Army, during World War II (Europe) until 1945. He returned home to start a family; however, in 1950 he was called back to duty to serve in the 31st Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division during the Korean War until 1952. He obtained the rank of Sgt. First Class; he wore a good conduct ribbon, ETO ribbon with five battle stars, victory ribbon, combat infantry badge, and French Fourragere.
Earlier in his life he enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, square dancing, playing cards, countryside rides with his wife, and he loved to tinker in his garage where made lots of things out of nothing.
Later in his life at Crabtree Senior Foster Care he enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins, rerun old time family television shows, and traveling with his brothers and sisters to visit his younger brother in Warroad, Minn.
He especially loved spending time with family and keeping tabs on his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is survived by sisters, Hilda Major, Madge Baron, Sophie Cyr, Phyllis Klay, Betty (Robert) Hull, Marilyn Wednchuk and Carolyn (Ed) Taylor; brothers, Melvin (May) Kittelson and Trevor Kittelson; daughters, Bonnie (Terry) Aitchison, Cathy (James) Larson and Elaine (Wayne) Akset; son, Darrin (Rae-Lynn) Kittelson; 13 grandchildren — Brent Larson, Wade (Sheryl) Larson, Heather (Tom) Lynch, Melissa Polus, Paula Chekroun (Bill Armiborgo), Robert (Erin) Aitchison, Jacob (Amy) Nelson, Amber (Rachid) Aouatefi, Stacey Akset (William Wolden), Christian Kittelson, Carter Kittelson, Joshua Harder and Matthew Harder; and 14 great-grandchildren — Scott Polus, Summer Polus, Hannah Polus, Emma Chekroun, Christian Chekroun, Evan Aitchison, Dominik Topp, Brady Hallin, Riley Larson, Alex Larson, Nathan Lynch, Seth Lynch, Robert Nelson, and Tatum Nelson.
He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; sister, Florence “Tootsie” Baron; brothers, Elmer, infant Howard Charles, Howard, Harley and Harold; brothers-in-law, John Baron, Harry Baron, Ossie Odahl, Bill Wednchuk, Bud Cyr and Walt Klay; and sisters-in-law, Minnie, Lyda and Deloris.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 21, at Zion Lutheran Church, 530 Sixth St., International Falls, Minn., with Pastor Stephen Olson officiating.
Visitation service will be one hour prior to the funeral at the church.
Honorary pallbearers will be all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Cease Family Funeral Home; Blackduck, Minn., will be assisting the family with arrangements.
