Date of Birth:
Wednesday, September 25, 1918
Date of Death:
Saturday, January 2, 2021
Age:
102 years old

Evelyn (Kennedy) Kittleson

Evelyn Lucille (Kennedy) Kittleson, 102, of Rochester died Saturday, January 2, 2021 at her home.

Evelyn was born in Pine Island, MN on September 25, 1918 to Edward and Edna (Frutiger) Kennedy.    She was welcomed by her parents and two older brothers, Haven and Leo.  She attended Pumpkin Hollow Elementary School and District 80 where she graduated from the 8^th grade.

Evelyn met Henry “Ole” Kittleson and after a courtship they were married at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Pine Island on October 29, 1936.  They farmed first in the Pine Island area and then settled in the Dodge Center/ Wasioja area for many years, until Ole’s passing on March 4, 1973.  Evelyn provided housekeeping services for a family in Rochester for ten years while they farmed. Evelyn & Ole had three children, Delores, Marla Jean, and Larry.  After Ole’s death she moved to Austin, MN and continued to provide housekeeping services for several families along with working at the Holiday Inn as the “Salad Girl”.   She moved to Rochester in 1978 where she worked at Hoffman House and the Holiday Inn South until her retirement in 1982.  Evelyn met Orrin Slawson in 1978 and enjoyed his companionship for 20+ years.  During their time together they enjoyed many car trips, including Wisconsin and Colorado to visit her niece and nephew.  Evelyn hosted many gatherings with her friends at her home.  She loved being the hub where her friends would gather for coffee and the occasional beer along with her homemade goodies.  Over the years, many tears of both laughter and sadness were shared around her kitchen table.

Evelyn is survived by her daughter Delores Witt, son Larry Kittleson, grandchildren, Patti (Mike) Ankeny, Mike (Peggy) Witt and Ron Witt, along with 9 great grandchildren, Crissy (Tom) Christgau, Jennifer (Dustin) Jacobsen, Ben (Liz) Ankeny, Tiffany (Willie) Granholm, Nathan (Liza) Witt, Emily Witt, Katie Witt, Deryck Witt and Rayce Witt, and 10 great-great grandchildren who loved her dearly.

At 102 years old, Evelyn was preceded in death by many loved ones, including her parents, her brothers, infant daughter Marla Jean, her mother and father in-law Henry and Mabel Kittleson, brother in-law Don and sister in-law Mildred, son in-law Jim Witt and daughter in-law Joyce Loechler.

The family wishes to send a special thank-you to the staff of St. Croix Hospice for their care in her final weeks at home and to all of her lady friends and family members that also helped take care of her.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 16, 2021 at Resurrection Catholic church in Rochester, with Father Shawn Haremza officiating.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial service at the church.  Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Dodge Center, MN.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com