Mankato, MN - Merle Kitzmann, age 86, passed away peacefully at his home in Mankato, Minnesota, on the evening of Friday, May 9, with his loving family at his side.

Merle Philip Kitzmann was born on June 7, 1938, in Elmore, Minnesota, the eighth child of the Rev. Otto and Mrs. Priscilla Kitzmann. He was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elmore in 1952 and then attended Concordia High School in St. Paul, Minnesota. He continued his theological education at Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and began studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1960.

Following his first year of seminary, he served a three-month vicarage at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. After his second year, he completed Chaplaincy Training School at the Naval Base in Newport, Rhode Island. His third-year vicarage was served at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Missouri.

He graduated from Concordia Seminary in 1964. That summer, he traveled to Germany, where he served as a vicar in the congregations of Heidelberg and Mannheim in the Evangelisch-Lutherische (Alt-Lutheraner) Kirche. During that year, he also studied at the University of Heidelberg and traveled extensively throughout East Germany, Europe, and the Middle East, including a tour of the Holy Land with a group from Concordia Seminary in Springfield, Illinois.

Upon returning to the United States in the fall of 1965, he resumed graduate studies at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and earned his Master of Sacred Theology degree in 1966.

In July 1966, he received a dual call to serve Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lewiston, MN, and Grace Lutheran Church in Stockton, MN. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1966.

He went on to serve the following congregations:Immanuel Lutheran, Lewiston & Grace Lutheran, Stockton (1966-1973); Trinity Lutheran, Mountain Lake (1973-1978); Hosanna Lutheran, Mankato (1978-1987); Immanuel Lutheran, Brownton (1987-2004). He retired to Mankato in 2004.

Pastor Kitzmann married Lois (nee Sonderson) of Willmar, Minnesota, on December 27, 1970, at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar. Together they raised two children: Anne Maria Frances (Tom Taylor) of Georgia, and John Andrew Michael (Sarah) of Mankato. He was a loving grandfather to Benjamin, Nathanael, Julia Taylor, Lucas, and Levi Kitzmann.

He is survived by his beloved wife Lois; children Anne and John; grandchildren; and siblings: Paul (Alice) Kitzmann of Rochester, MN; Lois (Paul) Howe of Georgetown, TX; Lowell (Donna) Kitzmann of Bangor, WI

He is also remembered fondly by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Delbert, Otto, Richard and Frank; and sisters-in-law Delores, June, Mary, and Beverly.

Merle was a man of many passions. He loved farming and gardening, skilled at woodworking, and was a musician—playing piano was one of his favorite pastimes. He was fluent in several languages, an avid horseman, and a dedicated student of family history, having written several books on the Kitzmann lineage.

He and Lois welcomed exchange students from Germany into their home, including Andi Raible and Andi Devers. Merle remained active in retirement by leading German-language worship services and participating in the German Club in Mankato.

A public celebration of life will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Mankato MN on June 21, 2025 at 11am. Lunch will be provided following the service. A private graveside service was held at Tivoli Cemetery near Mankato.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory to Our Savior Lutheran Church Mankato or The Lutheran Hour.