June Marilyn (Johnson) Kitzmann, 94, of Stewartville, passed away peacefully Thursday, February 20, 2020, at Madonna Towers Nursing Home in Rochester.
She was born on June 3, 1925, the daughter of Eddie and Minnie Johnson and baptized June 12 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Frost. June graduated from Frost High School in 1943. On March 30, 1947, June Johnson and Otto Kitzmann were united in marriage in Frost. Over the years, June worked for the Elmore Nursery, Putt’s Cafe in Elmore, and clerked at Lanesboro Sales Commission. From 1960-1970, June and Otto owned and operated Kitzmann’s Resort by Pine River during the summer months. They also enjoyed 19 retirement winters in sunny Apache Junction, Ariz.
Having grown up on the farm, she was a farm girl at heart – loving the outdoors and tending to daily chores, whatever they may be. Preparing meals from scratch for a large group was easy, as were planting large flower and vegetable gardens, sewing matching outfits for her daughters, and sharing memorable moments outdoors with family and friends. She enjoyed many years in LWML and Bible study. She also enjoyed watching the Gophers, Vikings and Twins, and often had a comment (or two) on how they played. She had great fun with games of chance like bingo, enjoyed daily crossword puzzles, and was quite competitive with board games and TV game shows. June loved her friends, but nothing was more important to her than family, and she took great joy in hosting holiday gatherings well into her 90s.
June is survived by her children: Ronald (Vicki) Kitzmann of Maple Plain, Linda (Don) Helmstetter of Blaine, Pam Kitzmann of New Prague, and Gary (Kate) Kitzmann of Rochester; grandchildren: Chad (Mayda) Helmstetter, Kristine (Dana) Kallman, Brian Helmstetter, Heather (Bob) Musman, Josh (Sadie) Kitzmann, Luke Kitzmann, Alex (Lindsey) Haagensen, Mike (Jamie) Haagensen, Scott (Rachel) Haagensen, Christopher (Kelsey) Kitzmann, Jenna (Isaac) Miner, Stephanie (Ron) Citronowicz, and Nathan Kitzmann; great-grandchildren: Alaina (Jake) Baker, Jacob Helmstetter, Andrew, Ben, and Matthew Kallman, Riley and Avery Helmstetter, Charlie Kitzmann, Hannah and Sam Musman, Tyson and Alivia Haagensen, Logan and Owen Haagensen, Keira and Haley Haagensen, Ian and Ada Kitzmann, Evelyn Miner, and Esther Citronowicz; and great-great-grandsons Otto and Sigurd Baker. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews as well as other relatives and friends.
June was preceded in death by her husband Otto, her parents Eddie and Minnie Johnson, brothers Elwood, Harris and Cyrus; and sister Mildred Skogerboe.
A memorial service for June will held on Saturday, February 29 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Stewartville.
To share a condolence with the family, please visit rileyfuneralhomes.com.