Twito, Dean (1928-2010)
TWITO, HELGESON, GROTEWOLD, KINGLAND, TARDIFF, JOHNSON, GRAHAM
Posted By: Paul Nagy, volunteer (email)
Date: 11/7/2010 at 15:09:59
Dean Twito
(March 13, 1928 - October 24, 2010)O. Dean Twito, age 82, died Sunday, October 24, 2010, peacefully at his home from cancer.
Orlo Dean Twito was born on March 13, 1928, north of Lake Mills in Winnebago County, Iowa, the son of Mikal and Gilma (Helgeson) Twito. He was baptized and confirmed at the Lime Creek Church, rural Emmons, Minnesota. Dean attended the Helgeson Country School through the 8th grade in rural Norway Township, Lake Mills Community High School through half of his junior year and then graduated from Emmons Public School when his parents sold the farm and moved to Emmons to start a new occupation. At that time, the family became members of the Emmons Lutheran Church.
After graduation, Dean enlisted in the United States Army where he served from 1946-1948, stationed in Japan after the end of World War II.
After serving in the Army, Dean joined his father, Mike, in operating several businesses but is most remembered for the Gambles Store. In 1949, father and son obtained sales positions with Pioneer International where Dean remained as a dealer for 41 years.
On July 28, 1965, Dean was united in marriage to Ramona Grotewold. A year after their marriage, Dean and Ramona purchased a farm south of Emmons on the Iowa side where Dean started farming again along with continuing his successful salesman career with Pioneer. They raised their two children, Gretchen and Mick, on this farm before selling their acreage in 2006 and building a new home at 205 North Oak, Lake Mills.
Dean was always an ambitious and capable man who worked hard to provide for his family. A kind, friendly and thoughtful man, he had a positive outlook on life. Dean cherished his relationships with his friends and loved his family. He rarely missed an athletic event or activity for his children or grandsons and was a supportive “Bulldog” fan.
In earlier years, Dean played a lot of baseball, bowled, golfed, hunted, fished, dabbled in woodworking and peddled fruits and vegetables for fun. Later, he and Ramona enjoyed traveling the U.S, Mexico, Norway and Canada and spending winters in Texas, Florida, California and Arizona, following their son, Mick, on his career destinations.
During these past five weeks, Dean was very thankful for the Hospice team’s assistance, his minister, friends and family. He welcomed the frequent visits, those who wrote notes, sent flowers, brought food and called, read scripture and prayed with him, helping him celebrate the last days of his life. Dean most recently spent hours in his yard and vegetable garden, having coffee with friends and playing cards.
Dean leaves to cherish in his memory his wife, Ramona (Moni), of Lake Mills, Iowa; his daughter, Gretchen, and her husband, Doug Kingland, of rural Northwood, Iowa; and his son, Michael Dean (Mick) Twito, of Gilbert, Arizona; three grandsons, Hunter, Granger and Denton Kingland; his sisters-in-law, Beverly Twito, of Albert Lea, Minnesota, and Marjorie Tardiff, of Scottsdale, Arizona; his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Roy B. and Bonnie Johnson, of Buffalo Center, Iowa, Jerry and Betty Grotewold, of Phoenix, Arizona, and Don and Doris Grotewold, of Lake Mills, Iowa, as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He proceeded in death by his parents; his brother, Don; his brother-in-law, Don Graham; his niece, Dawn, and an infant nephew.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, October 27, 2010, at 10:30 am at the Emmons Lutheran Church with Pastor Julie Fiske officiating.
Visitation will be Tuesday, October 26, 2010, from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at the Mittelstadt Funeral Home in Lake Mills, Iowa.
Burial will take place at Sunnyside Cemetery in Lake Mills, Iowa, with military honors conducted by the Emmons Louis/Tviete Post #317.
Copyright © 2010, Mittelstadt Funeral Home
Winnebago Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
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