Twito, Richard Donald (1926-2015)
TWITO, SPONEM, KINGLAND, GERGEN, CRAIN, GRAHAM
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 2/7/2015 at 12:42:54
Richard Donald Twito
(January 8, 1926 - January 23, 2015)U.S. Veteran Richard "Don" Twito, age 89, of Lake Mills, died on Friday, January 23, 2015, at the Lake Mills Care Center.
Richard Donald Twito was born on January 8, 1926, in Lake Mills, Iowa, to James Elmer and Regina (Sponem) Twito. Baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church, he remained a lifelong member. He attended and then graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1944.
On June 3, 1944, Don entered into active service with the Army Air Corps. A tail gunner on a B17 bomber, he earned an Aerial Gunner's Badge, a Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged on April 15, 1946.
Following his time in the service, Don attended Waldorf College in Forest City and worked at various jobs. In 1949, he joined his father in the Twito Land Company, becoming a Real Estate Broker, an occupation he pursued for over fifty years. He really enjoyed his years with the Twito Land Company where he established and maintained many friendships throughout the years.
Don married Dominy Kingland, of Hanlontown, on July 20, 1956, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Subsequently, they made their home in Lake Mills. Five children were born to their union.
Over the years, Don enjoyed many hobbies and activities. An Eagle Scout in his youth, he encouraged all three of his boys to participate in scouting. In the mid-1970s, he spent time singing with a barbershop chorus composed of men from the Lake Mills and Forest City areas. He always had a love for listening to a variety of music. He also appreciated the outdoors, vegetable gardening and bird watching especially. Moreover, he had an impressive knowledge of a variety of tree species.
A caring, selfless man with his family, he liked to tell stories and funny jokes whenever he had the opportunity. He also enjoyed visiting with his friends.
Don will be missed by his wife, Dominy, of Lake Mills; his four children, Eric (Cynthia) Twito, of Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin, Julie (Bill) Gergen, of Lakeville, Minnesota, Keith Twito, of Lake Mills, and Sarah (Clint) Crain, of Johnston, Iowa; a daughter-in-law, Deborah Twito, of Northfield, Minnesota; and ten grandchildren, Samuel (Alyssa), Isaac, and Emma Twito; Christopher and Sarah Graham; Anna, Emily, and Lucas Gergen; and Grace and Jacob Crain; as well as by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Dr. Timothy Twito; six sisters, five brothers, and their spouses; and his in-laws, Alfred and Agnes Kingland.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills with Pastors Melinda McCluskey and Kevin Olson officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Otto Chose Post #235 of Lake Mills. The family will greet friends one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. Inurnment will take place at Sunnyside Cemetery in Lake Mills at a later date.
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