Shirley Kittelson

Shirley Kittelson, of Dawson, passed away Thursday, June 13, 2019 at Johnson Memorial Care Center at the age of 90.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 17, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson.  Entombment will be in the Terrace Lawn Memory Gardens Mausoleum.

Visitation will be held Sunday, June 16 from 5:00 PM -  7:00 PM at Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6:30 PM.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

Shirley Jean Bergeson Kittelson was born on October 22, 1928 to Noble and Josephine (Klyberg) Bergeson in Lac Qui Parle County.  She was baptized and confirmed at the Lac Qui Parle Lutheran Church. She attended country school through the eighth grade in District 6 and graduated from the Dawson High School in 1947.

Shirley married Curtis Kittelson on October 22, 1950, in the Lac qui Parle Lutheran Church.  Shirley and Curtis lived in Montevideo, MN, where they worked and raised their three children; Sheldon, Cheryl and Charlene.  Shirley worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone for 19 years and then as a teacher’s assistant in the Montevideo elementary schools for 20 years.  Shirley was very strong in her faith and loved attending worship. She enjoyed sharing her talents with the church as a Sunday School teacher for over 20 years, teaching the Bethel Bible Study Series for 2 years, and helping with many Circle activities.  She was a member of both the American Legion and the VFW Auxiliaries.  Following Curtis’ death in 1989, Shirley retired and moved to Dawson, MN, to help care for her aging mother and to be closer to family.

Shirley was a very loving and caring woman who enjoyed cooking, sewing, playing cards, decorating cakes for family events and weddings, making and sharing her lefse, camping, traveling, watching sporting events and concerts. She enjoyed embroidery and exceeded her goal of embroidering a set of dishtowels for each of her children, grand-children and even down to her youngest great-grandchild, 9-month-old Conrad.  Shirley’s greatest joy came simply by spending time with her family and friends where there was always love and plenty of laughter.

She is survived by her children: Sheldon (Kathy) of Clarkfield, MN, Cheryl (Lee) Gunderson of Dawson, MN, Charlene (John) Tengwall of Champaign, IL; grandchildren: Andrea Kittelson (Adam) Nedry of Bloomington, MN, Kevin Kittelson and Andrew Kittelson both of Clarkfield, MN, Meagan (Allen) Mareck of Sauk Rapids, MN, Michael Gunderson of Sartell, MN, Jason (Cristela) Gunderson of Newhall, CA, Bradley (Terra) Gunderson of Savage, MN, Brian (Jenny) Gunderson of Elk River, MN, Jeremy (Lana) Tengwall of Champaign, IL, and Jamie (Clara) Tengwall of Texarkana, TX; great-grandchildren: Jakob and Mikayla Nedry, Jessa Mareck, Meleah, Mollie and Maiya Gunderson, Sofia and Mara Gunderson, Colten, Brielle and Grady Gunderson, Taylor, Brynlee and Everett Gunderson, Reagan and Ryan Tengwall, Emma and Conrad Tengwall; brothers-in-law: Ronald Helgeson of Dawson and Darrell Benson of Montevideo; sisters-in-law: Cheryl Bergeson and Ardis Bergeson of Dawson, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Curtis Kittelson; special friend, Merrill Johnson; parents: Noble and Josephine Bergeson, brothers: Kenneth, Jerome and Roger; sisters, Verona, Gracelyn and Ruby; brother-in-law, Lloyd Mork; sisters-in-law: Darlene and Elaine Bergeson; and nephew, Don Mork.

Blessed be her memory.