Harry Irwin Kittelson

Thunder Hawk, SD

1937, 793, Hill City, F-9,

Harry I. Kittelson, 81, Watertown, died Oct. 21, 1998, at his home. Services will be 1 p.m. MST Monday at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, McIntosh, with the Rev. Steve Biegler officiating. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Lemmon.

Eldon Jensen will be the soloist, accompanied by Leslie Neiderman. There will also be a vocal trio by daughters Annetta, Mary and CeCe.

Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. today with a scripture service at 6:30 tonight at Immaculate Conception Church in Watertown. Visitation will continue prior to the service at the church in McIntosh.

The family prefers memorials be designated to Immaculate Conception Grade School, Boys Town and American Lung Association.

Pallbearers will be Jim Fritz, Bret, Chet and Jenny Sutton, Karmon Brickman, Amy Brown, Emy Johnson, Amanda and Eric Engle, Joshua, Mariah and Isaiah Soucy, John, Jody and Karren Sanow, Gretar Gudmundsson, Sirry Brock and Hjordis Schultz.

Harry Irwin Kittelson, the son of Clarence and Ida (Strom) Kittelson was born on July 22, 1917, in Wilmot. He was the oldest of four children and the only boy, and was educated until the sixth grade in Summit.

He moved with his family to Thunder Hawk, where they farmed. In 1937 he graduated from Thunder Hawk High School. During the Depression he worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps, then returned to Thunder Hawk, and Harry worked in various occupations that included farming, ranching and the railroad.

For 10 years he built the successful Howard Quay Hereford Ranch at Keldron. In 1949, he began his work for the people of Corson County on the Highway Department. For 43 years he traveled the roads and communities of Corson County, loving its people. His knowledge of the people and land in his county were unparalleled.

As a 36-year-old bachelor, Harry married the love of his life, LaVerna Sanow on July 23, 1953, at St. Patrick's in Montrose. He became an instant father to a ready-made family of four, including Wally, Karren, Annetta and Vonnie. To their union, Mary, Joseph and CeCe were born.

In November of 1956, Harry was elected sheriff of Corson County. For 35 years Harry offered compassion, fatherly advice and honesty to the people of his county. The Kittelsons opened their home, feeding and sheltering anyone who had a need, which included abandoned and abused children.

In 1979, South Dakota Attorney General Bill Janklow made Harry and LaVerna honorary assistant attorney generals for the State of South Dakota. He remained an active member of the South Dakota Peace Officers Association. A man of tremendous integrity, Harry shared his life and love with his wife of 45 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Karren and Vonnie; one grandchild; and two sisters, Gladys and Mildred.

He is survived by his wife, LaVerna; three sons, Wally, Bismarck, N.D., Joseph, Minneapolis, and Dennis, Belle Fourche; three daughters, Annetta, Bismarck, Mary, Lakewood, Colo., and CeCe, Watertown; their adopted children, Homer White Buffalo, New Town, N.D., and Lois Village Center, Anchorage, Alaska; two sons-in-law, Jim Soucy and David Engle; one daughter-in-law, Gwen Fritz; one sister, Lillian Graham, Plainwell, Mich.; 18 grandchildren, John, Jody, Karren, Gretar, Hjordis and Sirry Sanow, Amy, Emy, Jenny, Chet and Bret Sutton, Jim and Karmon Fritz, Amanda and Eric Engle, Joshua, Mariah and Isaiah Soucy; and 12 great-grandchildren, Brian, Samantha, Cameron, Tanner, Sydney, Nicholas, Christian, Alexandrea, Royce, Trevor, Aleah and Tristian.

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