Phyllis Kittelson

Phyllis Kittelson, age 92, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, surrounded by family. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday October 23, 2024, at New Hope Lutheran Church in rural Hayti, SD. Reverend Randy Eisenbeisz will officiate. This service will be live streamed via our website.

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Tuesday from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and prior to the services on Wednesday at New Hope.

Burial will be at New Hope Lutheran Cemetery in rural Hayti, SD. Honorary pallbearers are Britttany Mehlaff, Darla Jia, Dana Schmidt, Dixie Falk, Davita Atyco, Denise Lau, Dylan Altfillisch, Tasha Altfillisch.  Active pallbearers are Brian Lowery, Brandon Lowery, Bradley Lowery, Daniel Powell, Myles Larson and Dillion Kittelson.

Phyllis was born on April 1, 1932, on the family farm in rural Esmond, SD, to Ray and Fern (Bjelkstrom) Scotter. Phyllis attended Iroquois High School, where she graduated in 1950.

After graduation, Phyllis worked at the National Bank in Huron, until February 13, 1955, when she married David Kittelson. The couple made their home on a farm in rural Henry. They farmed in Henry until 1968 when they moved to Hayti. Phyllis and David continued milking and farming in that area.

David sadly passed away in 1982. Phyllis continued on the farm until 1988 when she moved to Lake Kampeska. Phyllis enjoyed working at Herberger’s after her retirement from the farm.

A devout member of the New Hope Lutheran Church, Phyllis's faith was a guiding star throughout her life, providing her with strength. Among her many interests, Phyllis was an avid deer hunter and quilter.  Phyllis found great pleasure in quilting. A testament of her love was seen in each wedding quilt made for her grandchildren and the baby blankets she made for her great grandchildren.

Phyllis spent many hours in the milking barn, but she was also known for her hard tack candy, homemade buns, and the large lunches she prepared for the men.  Nobody left the farm hungry. Later in life she enjoyed attending birthday club dinners, sharing her joy and     laughter with her family and friends.  

Phyllis made sure to try to attend every event possible and did her best to support her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with each event she attended. Being an April fool’s baby, Phyllis was the recipient of many birthday pranks by her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  It was always a challenge to come up with new ideas for her birthday.

Phyllis is survived by her children, Diane (Bob) Lowery, of Pierre, SD; Doug (Karna) Kittelson, of Hayti, SD; Debra (Donald) Powell, of Mandan, ND; and Darrel (Janis) Kittelson, of Watertown, SD; one brother, Jim (Mary) Scotter of North Little Rock, Ark; five sisters-in-law, Shirley Scotter, of Huron, SD; Joni Scotter, of Marion, IA; Joan Kittelson, of Watertown, SD; Gail Kittelson, of Henry, SD; and Donna Kittelson, of Watertown, SD; one brother-in-law, Bill Sandal, of Phillip, SD; 14 grandchildren: Brian (Jennifer) Lowery, Brandon (Crystal) Lowery, Bradley (Rachel) Lowery, Brittany (Jeff) Mehlhaff, Darla(Xiao) Jia, Daniel (Erin) Powell, Dana (Austin) Schmidt, Dixie (John) Falk, Davita (Nathan) Atyeo, Denise (Tyler) Lau, Myles Larson, Dillion (Kelbi) Kittelson, Dylan (Bridget) Altfillisch, and Tasha Altfillisch; and 39 great-grandchildren.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, David; her parents: Ray and Fern Scotter; mother and father-in-law: Elwin and Harriet Kittelson; one son, Dwayne A. Kittelson; three brothers: Robert, Gene, and Richard Scotter; four sisters-in-law: Sue Scotter, Betty Nelson, Ruth Roe, and Karyl Sandal; five brothers-in-law: Gilbert, Albert, and Floyd Kittelson; Bob Nelson, and Don Roe. 

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown, Hayti

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