John Alvin Kiel

Funeral services for John Alvin Kiel, age 86, of Wahkon, MN, formerly of Falcon Heights, MN, will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 11 AM at Milaca Evangelical Free Church with Rev. Perry Johnson and Rev. John Merritt officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Milaca. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Music will be provided by Darwin Bruesewitz and Donna Sahlstrom. Casketbearers will include Aaron Merritt, Garrit Kiel, Nathan Merritt, Julia Merritt, Brandon Kiel, Kelsey Berg and John Kidd. Memorials are preferred the charity of your choice. John Kiel was born December 18, 1926 in Pease, Minnesota to Garrit and Grace (Schutte) Kiel. He married Stella Wessman, of Milaca, on April 16, 1949 at the Alliance Church in Milaca. To this union three children were born, Richard, Debra and Michael. They made their home in St. Paul where John worked for Northern States Power Company for 40 years in a variety of positions including, lineman, foreman, instructor and safety control. John was a faithful member of Rose Hill Alliance Church while living in Falcon Heights. He loved working on not only church projects but also construction and development of Camp Big Sandy in McGregor, MN. John loved the Lord and it's a blessing knowing that he is in his presence. As retirees, Stella and John were snow birds and spent their winters in Arizona (Superstition Sunrise and Apache Junction). There he was a master at shuffleboard. He loved working with his hands (building 3 homes), woodworking, problem solving, and golfing. John loved the outdoors, camping, fishing and hunting, so it only made sense for him to retire on his favorite lake, Mille Lacs. Stella and John have lived here for 25 years. During that time, he did volunteer driving and other community work. He was also President of Mille Lacs Lake Shore Association. John passed away on Friday, May 24, 2013 at Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia. John loved his family and his family loved him. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Stella Kiel of Wahkon; children, Richard (Carole) Kiel of Milaca, Debra (John) Merritt of Danville, CA, Michael (Kristin) Kiel of Maple Grove; grandchildren, Garrit Kiel, Jessica (John) Kidd, David Kiel, Aaron (Gretchen) Merritt, Nathan (Jennifer) Merritt, Julia Merritt, Brandon (Kathryn) Kiel and Kelsey (Dale) Berg; great-grandchildren, Abigail Merritt, Brady Merritt, Logan Merritt and Reese Merritt; brothers, Harry (Lorna) Kiel of Fergus Falls and Lester (Marge) Kiel of Princeton; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Kiel and Loree Vanman; also by many nieces and nephews, relatives and good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, Steve Kiel, Dick Kiel, and Kenneth Kiel.