Rev. Ralph Donald KITTERMAN

KITTERMAN, FEATHERSTON, THOMPSON, BOYER, WARD

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/6/2010 at 08:30:19

March 14, 2010
Fort Dodge Messenger, Iowa

The Reverend Dr. Ralph Donald Kitterman of Kenyon Place, Friendship Haven, Fort Dodge, Iowa died at the age of 90 years March 12, 2010 after a courageous 15 year battle with cancer. Ralph was born to Elmer and Katheryn [Featherston] Kitterman, July 1st, 1919 on a dairy farm near Kingsley Iowa. After graduating from Kingsley High School he attended and graduated from Morningside College in Sioux City Iowa and Boston University School of Theology in Boston Massachusetts. Ordained in a predecessor of the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Ralph served Iowa parishes in Hinton, Wittemore, Good Hope, [rural Algona] Kanawha, Rockwell City Webster City Asbury, Waterloo First, Humboldt and as Administrator of the Spencer District. During his forty-two years of ministry he also served on a variety of Conference and Denominational Boards and Agencies as well as on organizations in the communities where he lived. Ralph was a pioneer in Christian Camping for youth and families at Okoboji and in Christian retirement living in Storm Lake, Fort Dodge and Cedar Rapids. He was particularly pleased to have been able to participate in the founding and building of Friendship Haven through leadership and fundraising for 60 years.

Ralph and Trudy Thompson were married on August 12, 1942 and are survived by their two sons: Ron [Mary] of Fort Dodge and Jim of [Kathy] of Tulsa Oklahoma as well as seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters: Lainys Boyer and Dorothy Ward, and his companion and wife, Trudy.

A visitation will be held March 15 from 4-6 pm in the Celebration Center, Friendship Haven. A celebration of faith and Ralph's life will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, Fort Dodge on March 16th at 10:30. A private committal service will be held that same day at the Kinglsey Cemetery. The family requests that instead of flowers, memorial gifts be given in honor of Ralph to Friendship Haven's Care Trust Fund and to Morningside College's scholarship fund. Arrangements have been entrusted with Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services.