Leland Walter Kietzer

Leland Walter Kietzer was born on September 25, 1928 on the family farm in rural Vernon Center, MN to Walter and Amanda Ida (Kopischke) Kietzer. He attended parochial school at St. John's Lutheran Church School-Willow Creek. Leland worked for his sister, Ortrude Karau and brother-in-law near Truman. In 1950, Leland served his country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1951. On June 10, 1953 Leland was united in marriage to Marilyn Sonnabend at the St. John's Lutheran Church Parsonage-Willow Creek. He farmed in rural Vernon Center until his death. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church-Willow Creek where he served on the finance board and on the board of education. Leland loved farming, fishing, going to auctions and driving around with his two dogs. He mowed the church cemetery for twenty years. Leland died on Friday, September 24, 2010 at Immanuel St. Joseph Hospital, Mankato, MN. Leland is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn Kietzer, Vernon Center, MN; one daughter, Jolene Mohwinkel, Lewisville, MN; two sons, James Kietzer and his wife Pam, Vernon Center, MN, Jay Kietzer and his wife Terri, Vernon Center, MN; one daughter-in-law, Leann Kietzer, Mankato, MN; 14 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Jeff; one sister, Ortrude Karau; two brothers, Lorvin and Elmer. Memorial contributions may be given to St. John's Lutheran Church-Willow Creek.