Shirley’s Obituary Shirley Nell Kittle, 80, of Owatonna, MN, formerly of Maxwell, died Friday, May 10, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. She was born January 13, 1939 in Maxwell, Nebraska the daughter of Virgil and Phyllis (Grandstaff) Burke. She grew up in Maxwell where she attended school and graduated from high school in 1957.
On June 30, 1957, she married Donn Kittle. The couple lived for a few months in North Platte before moving to Owatonna where they both attended Pillsbury College and Shirley received an Associate of Arts degree. The couple then moved to Minneapolis where Donn attended Seminary.
They served as pastor and wife in the church ministry for 47 years at four churches with a long ministry at each. Woodcrest Baptist Church in Fridley, MN for six years, First Baptist Church in Little Falls, MN for 11 years, Ridgeview Baptist Church in Wheat Ridge, CO for 15 years, and Grace Baptist Church in Owatonna, MN for 15 years where they retired on January 1, 2007. Coincidentally enough, ending their ministry at the church they chartered back in 1958.
As a Pastor’s wife, she served in each church leading Children’s Church, teaching Sunday School, organizing the nursery and serving with the Ladies Fellowship. At Christmas time, she opened her home to entertain the entire church membership at each church they served. She traveled to 21 foreign countries which was provided by the love of the churches they served.
She also enjoyed art and taught art in a private elementary school while they lived in Colorado. Her favorite meal was a burger and a butterscotch shake and her favorite dessert was a caramel roll. Shirley was an avid reader of the Scriptures reading the Bible through four times each year for many years.
She is enjoying being in the presence of her Savior who she loved and adored. She is survived by her husband, Donn of Owatonna; children, Karen (Ken) Kraich of Foley, AL, Kathie Kittle of Denver, Kory (Sheri) Kittle of Kansas City, KS, Karis (Norm) McConnell of Denver and Krystal (Greg) Ostrom of Colorado Springs; 7 grandchildren, Ked Kraich (Tara Gignac), Bethany Kraich, Collin (Heather) Fauss, Jordyn Kittle, Landon Kittle, Kalob McConnell, Kyler McConnell; brother, Virgil (Peggy) Burke of Canyon City, CO and brother-in-law, Ralph Exstrom of Valley, NE She was preceded in death by parents, Virgil and Phyllis Burke and a sister, Peggy Exstrom. Visitation will be at Grace Baptist Church on Sunday, May 19, 2019, from 3-4pm with the funeral service beginning at 4:00pm with Pastor David Levy officiating.
The Owatonna Service will be live streamed on Facebook at facebook.com/GBCOwatonna. Online condolences may be shared at www. carpentermemorial.com.
Memorials are suggested to The Maxwell High School Alumni for scholarships or The Maxwell First Baptist Church. Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at the Plainview Cemetery near Maxwell. Carpenter Memorial Chapel is in charge of local arrangements.
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