KEVIN LEE KITTLESON

Kevin Lee Kittleson, 60, died on February 18, 2022, at his home in Caledonia, Minnesota. Kevin was born on January 30, 1962 in La Crosse Wisconsin to Michael and Vicki (Hestekind) Kittleson. The family moved to Thiensville, Wisconsin, where Kevin attended grade school in Thiensville, later moving to Racine, and then Blair, where graduated from high school in 1980. He was active in theater, excelled in Forensic contests, participated in “High Quiz Bowl” for the Blair Cardinals, and covered school events for the Blair Press. His friends called him “Waz” because of his intellect and humor. He did vocals and played electric guitar, in the rock and roll band, “Lemegeton”, sponsored by Silvers Bar in Independence. After attending a year at Winona State University, he served in the United States Navy as a Petty Officer Personnel-men Third Class from Nov 1981, originally based in San Francisco on the USS Kiska, and then transferred to the USS Cochrane destroyer, based out of Japan; he processed personnel paperwork for his shipmates and served as tour guide, while on patrol near Australia, Hong Kong, and the Middle East near Kuwait. He was honorably discharged on February 23, 1985, and settled in La Crosse, Wisconsin where he briefly attended University of Minnesota and held a number of jobs, including water bed installer, newspaper delivery, and nurse’s aide caring for dementia patients. He married Margaret Jean Gierok at SSPP Catholic Church in Independence, Wisconsin on 9/6/1986. Kevin and Marge lived in La Crosse before moving to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where Kristin was born in 1987. Kevin graduated with Honors from UW-Sheboygan Center in 1989 with Associate of Arts in Mass Communications. He was president of Alph Mu Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, wrote for the Centron, school newspaper; served on the Student Aids, Awards, and Appeals; presided at the Honors Convocation event; and performed in a number of plays for the school theater. The family moved to Minnetonka, Minnesota, and then bought a home in Golden Valley Minnesota, where Kevin was actively involved in the community development plans and campaigned for City Council. He performed with Atlantis Theatre, was a Delegate to DFL Conventions, and was active in the Northwest Council for the Arts. Kevin and Marge had two more children, John and Laura, and later divorced. Kevin lived in Minneapolis for a number of years, working at Mystic Lake Casino managing slot machines. Throughout his life he enjoyed the arts; wrote stories, plays; composed, performed, and recorded songs and videos with his favorite acoustic guitar, electric guitars, and keyboards; performed in community theater, the Renaissance Festival and Trail of Terror; did improve and stand-up comedy. Kevin more recently produced a You-tube channel featuring his music, developed an rock opera with his good friend, the late Mike Wippert, was working on a novel, and was looking forward to being more active in the music scene. He later moved to Texas, and finally Caledonia Minnesota. Kevin loved playing trivia and computer games with friends. Kevin was preceded in death by his grandparents, Belva and Gordon Hestekind, and Eileen and Victor Kittleson, adopted brother Wesley Kittleson, step father Jim Hovre. He is survived by his parents, Vicki Hovre of Clio, Iowa (fiance' Don Whittom), Michael (Ellen) Kittleson of Holmen Wisconsin, children, Kristin Nicole (Shayne) O’Brien of Zimmerman, Minnesota, John Michael Kittleson of Minneapolis, MN, Laura Beth Kittleson of Minnetonka, MN (fiance, Maverick Fearing), sister Karmen (Paul) Haugland of Mabel, MN, brother Jason Kittleson of Mabel, MN (special friend Hope Lawless), nephew, Erik Haugland, (fiance', Emalie Hanson) and many dear friends. A Celebration of Kevin's Life will be from 1 to 3 pm, Sunday, February 27, 2022, at Elsie's, 226 E. Main St., Caledonia, MN

KEVIN LEE KITTLESON

January 30, 1962 - February 18, 2022