John W. Kitzman

EMERY, KITZMAN

Posted By: Mary (email)
Date: 6/14/2009 at 12:34:12

John W. Kitzman
Courtesy of the Ottumwa Courier
OSKALOOSA — John W. Kitzman, 77, of Oskaloosa and formerly of Sigourney, died June 11, 2009, at the Northern Mahaska Nursing and Rehab Center. John William Kitzman, son of Albert R. and Zella Emery Kitzmann, was born May 29, 1932, in What Cheer. He was a 1950 graduate of What Cheer High School. Following his education, he moved to Davenport, where he initially worked for a construction company and then was employed by Ralston-Purina for one year. While in Davenport, John met Charlotte Marie Iversen and they were married Dec. 22, 1951, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport. They made their home in Davenport until John was drafted and entered the Army on Feb. 18, 1953. John served in Korea and was discharged Dec. 23, 1954, when he was released to the Iowa Army Reserves. Upon his discharge, John and Charlotte returned to south central Iowa, where he farmed near Barnes City, Delta and then south of Sigourney. They moved to a farm north of Sigourney in 1967, which they farmed until 1997 when John retired. John and Charlotte remained on their farm until 2003 when they moved to Oskaloosa. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa and was one of the members who were instrumental in building Hope Lutheran Church in Sigourney. He was a past member of the Lions Club. John enjoyed farming, spending time with his family, and he and Charlotte followed their grandchildren's school activities and sporting events extensively. They also enjoyed traveling together; he and Charlotte traveled to Alaska, Europe, Hawaii and Nova Scotia.He is survived by his wife, Charlotte of Oskaloosa; sons and daughters-in-law, Jack and Pat Kitzman of Oskaloosa and Steven and Jennifer Kitzman of Gilman; five grandchildren, Alissa, Katie, Tyler, Blane and Jessica Kitzman; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Pauline and Jim Hazen of Clive, Louise Bos of What Cheer and Enid and Donnie Phillips of What Cheer.John was preceded in death by his brothers, Harvey, Dewayne, LeRoy and Emery; and a sister, Dorothy Churchill.Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Hope Lutheran Church in Sigourney; the Rev. Richard Meyer officiating. Burial will be in Garrett Cemetery near Delta. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will be present from 6-8 p.m. Monday to greet visitors. Memorials may be made to Hope Lutheran Church, St. John's Lutheran Church or the ALS Association.