Obit: Kjos, Edwin M. Rev. (1924 - 2010)

Poster: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Grothmann, Hoffman, Kjos, Ladwig, Nikunen, Pederson, Score, Terrill, Whitby, Wipf

----Source: The Star News (Medford, Taylor Co., Wisconsin) Thursday, April 8, 2010, online edition

Kjos, Edwin M. Rev. (October 15, 1924 - April 4, 2010)

Edwin "Ed" M. Kjos, 85, Abbotsford, died Wednesday, March 31 at the Colonial Center in Colby.

A memorial service was held Monday, April 5 at First Baptist Church in Medford, with Rev. Brian Wipf officiating. Cremainal inurnment will be at Bethel Cemetery in Pelican Rapids, Minn., at a later date. Memorial bearers are his grandsons, Aaron, Noah, Jonathon, Joseph and Luke Kjos, Darren Whitby, Ian and Christopher Ladwig, Renson Hoffman and Jeremy Nikunen.

Edwin Kjos was born October 15, 1924 in Pelican Rapids, to the late John A. and Dagney M. (Pederson) Kjos, Sr.

He was a 1943 graduate of Pelican Rapids High School, attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn., then Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, where he graduated in 1959. He also attended Association Free Lutheran Seminary in Plymouth, Minn., where he graduated in 1967.

On March 23, 1955 at Hay River Lutheran Church in Wheeler, he married Yvonne L. Score, who survives. He was a minister in the Association Free Lutheran Congregation in Roseau, Minn., where there were four parishes for three years, then was a minister at Bethel Free Lutheran in Faith, S.D., and Emmanuel Free Lutheran in Eagle Butte, S.D., for eight and one half years. He was also a minister in Culbertson, Mont., at Bethel Free Lutheran for five years, then worked at Broen Nursing Home in Fergus Falls, Minn., where he was a certified nursing assistant for six years. He served as an interim pastor for various congregations, also did highway, railroad and carpentry construction, was a helper on the building of Garrison Dam in Garrison, N.D., and worked for various farmers in the Pelican Rapids area.

He was a member of Son's of Norway and Calvary Free Lutheran in Fergus Falls. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, building bluebird houses, taking pictures, reading and telling stories.

In addition to his wife, survivors include four children, Karen (Dean) Whitby of Blaine, Minn., David (Kelly) of Hazen, N.D., Linda (Jay) Hoffman of Abbotsford, and Brenda Nikunen of Watertown, Minn.; a daughter-in-law, Deborah Kjos of Dixon, Ill.; a brother, Howard of Roslyn, S.D.; a sister-in-law, Helen Grothmann of Hillsboro, N.D.; 26 grandchildren, Lori (Brady) Terrill, Aaron and Noah (Angie) Kjos, Beth, Lydia, Eda and Darren Whitby, Sarah, Jonathon, Joseph, Rebekah, Emily, Luke, Patricia and Ruth Kjos, Ian and Christopher Ladwig, Renson, Delaney, Hannah and Lily Hoffman, and Jeremy, Jessica, Rose, Samuel and Caleb Nikunen; five great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Mark; a grandson, Peter Nikunen; and two brothers, John Jr. and Leroy.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to his family to be designated at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.hemerfuneralservice.com

Hemer Funeral Service of Medford assisted the family with arrangements.