Harlan Kientiz

Harlan J. Kienitz, age 91, of Willmar, formerly of the Raymond area, died Tuesday morning, December 30, at Bethesda Heritage Center in Willmar.

Services will be held at 11 A.M. Friday, January 2, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Willmar. The interment will be in the Cloverleaf Memorial Park Cemetery in Willmar. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

Harlan John Kienitz was born on December 27, 1923, on the family farm in Edwards Township near Raymond, Minnesota, the son of Louis and Anna (Peglow) Kienitz. He grew up in that area and received his education in the Raymond schools, graduating in 1941. He worked on the family farm with his brothers for a few years. On June 26, 1949, he was married to Mildred Christine Boike in Clara City, MN and they made their home on a farm near Raymond. They farmed there until Harlan retired in 1990 and they moved to Willmar in 1991. For the past 11 years they have lived at Independence Place in Willmar. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Raymond until it joined with Redeemer Lutheran in Willmar. He had been on the Board of Elders and an usher for several years. He enjoyed wood carving, golfing, traveling and spending their winters in Texas. Harlan enjoyed being with friends and always made time for coffee at several different places in Willmar. He loved being with his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Mildred of Willmar, 4 children; Larry (and Bonnie) Kienitz of North St. Paul, Marilyn (and Tom Wilson) Kienitz of Louisville, Kentucky, Cheryl (and Rob) Birkland of Willmar and Robert (and Julie) Kienitz of Stafford, Virginia. Also surviving are 4 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, 1 brother, Elmer (and Joyce) Kienitz of Raymond and 1 sister, Angeline Christianson of Tucson, Arizona, besides other relatives and friends.

Harlan was preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother, Harvey Kienitz.

Cemetery Details