Shirley E. Kitzan, 87, Richardton, died on Thursday, August 31, 2023 at CHI St. Alexius Dickinson. Shirley’s Celebration of Life Service will be 1 p.m., Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with Pastor Mike Pretzer officiating. Inurnment will take place at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Richardton.
Shirley Homelvig was born December 8, 1935 in New England, the daughter of Sigwardt and Eliza (Nicholson) Homelvig. She was raised and educated in the New England area where she attended country school and graduated from New England Public School. She attended one year at Dickinson State Teachers College.
Shirley was united in marriage to Melvin Kitzan September 5, 1954 at Lebanon Lutheran Church, Amidon. They resided on Melvin’s farm south of Antelope where their children Tom, Rose, Ken and Susie was born. On November 1, 1965 they moved north of Richardton to a larger farm. It was at this time that Tim was added to the family. They raised range cattle, dairy cattle, pigs and eventually added sheep. They also had laying hens and butchered chickens (which the oldest kids were not enthused about). Shirley was an excellent gardener which she learned from her mother. She loved to be in the outdoors, working in her garden and flower beds.
As a young girl, Shirley was active in 4-H and YCL. After she was married, she joined St. John’s Women’s Group and in the 80’s as the youngest of the ladies she became president and held this position for over 30 years. She was also an American Legion Auxiliary member for 68 years.
She loved her flower beds and gardening, but after knee surgery she was limited in what she could do. Tom and Tim kept busy keeping them in shape for her along with Tom planting the garden and flowers for her. Shirley spent her time doing circle word finds, her daily devotional, reading her Bible and various magazines, until one month prior to her passing.
Shirley is survived by her children, Thomas Kitzan, on the family farm, Richardton, Rose Kitzan -Pearson, Grand Forks, Kenneth (Ann-Margaret “Mugsy”) Kitzan, Hebron, Susie (Anthony Jones) Kitzan, Nantucket, MA and Timothy Kitzan, Taylor; granddaughter, Angela Kitzan, Fargo; brother, Glen (Dee) Homelvig, Bismarck; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin, on September 6, 1998; her parents; father and mother-in-law, Rudolph and Rose Kitzan; son-in-law, Garry Pearson; brothers, Earl and Clifton; sisters, Ruth Kubischta, Etta Keller, Margie Bohnhoff and their husbands; brothers-in-law, Ralph (Irene) Kitzan, Clarence (Rose) Kitzan, and Randy Kitzan; and two infant brothers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the donors choice.
