Emily S. Kittelson

Emily S. Kittelson, age 44, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, surrounded by her family.  Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown.  Rev. Janet Miller will officiate.  Music will be provided by A.J. Sherrill as organist with the Scheffert Girls as vocalist.  The funeral service will be live-streamed and recorded via our website.

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.  Honorary pallbearers will be Jeremy Frensko, and all of Emily’s friends, too many to mention.  Active pallbearers will be Jabe Miedema, Dan Fjerstad, Matt Kittelson, Jeremy Engels, Grant Scheffert, and Bob Rue. 

Emily was born on March 4, 1981, in Watertown, SD, to Steven and Sue (Goodwin) Kittelson.  Emily was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown where she was baptized and confirmed.  She attended school in Watertown and graduated with the class of 2000. 

She enjoyed attending all the Watertown Arrows events and listening to music. Emily loved kids, horses, spending time with her friends, and hanging out at the bowling alley. 

Emily is survived by her father, Steven (Cindy) Kittelson; sister Abbey (Jabe) Miedema; her grandmother, Joan Kittelson; her step-siblings, David (Jodi) Ulschmid and their children, Kaelyn and Caleb, Justin (Amy) Ulschmid and their children, Kamalee, Jayse, Hayden, and Haylee, and Kathy Ulschmid and her children, Nicholas and Laney; aunt Sandi Rue and uncle Tim Goodwin; and her nieces and nephews, Marlene, Rainey, and Jack Miedema.

Emily was preceded in death by her mother, Susan; her sister, Jennifer; her grandfathers, Gilbert Kittelson and Charles Goodwin; and her grandma, Doris Kittelson

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.come Watertown and Hayti.

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