Donovan L. Kitsch

Donovan L. Kitsch, 94 of rural Garske, ND passed away on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at Eventide Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake in the loving care of his family.

Donovan Leonard Kitsch was born in Devils Lake ND on November 6, 1927, the son of Leonard and Ellen (Evenstad) Kitsch. He grew up on the family farm 1 ½ miles east of Garske and he would call that home his entire life. He attended grade school in Garske and then Central High School in Devils Lake. Donovan then began farming with his Dad.

Donovan entered the United States Army on February 19, 1951, and proudly served his country during the Korean War in Panama, Iceland, and Newfoundland. He was the Harbor Craft Supervisor, responsible for loading the landing crafts, with the troops from the carriers, and getting them to the beach. He was honorably discharged on February 5, 1953.

Donovan returned to the farm and later met the girl he would marry at the Devils Lake 75^th Jubilee. He knew the wait for the just right girl was a good choice and he married his beloved Mary Catherine Anderson on April 10, 1958, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. 

The settled on the Kitsch family farm, lived, worked, loved, and raised their 3 children. 

Donovan’s passion was the farm. He was a good steward of the land, a true farmer. He enjoyed the spring planting, watching the crops grow and bringing in the harvest. As a farmer, he was a self-taught whatever needed to be done. He could fix anything, and he also had a few ingenious inventions he put to use around the house. He was an avid reader which helped him in many aspects of farm life.

For a pastime, Donovan found himself collecting, building, and flying remote controlled airplanes. He never missed a show all around the country and was so excited to have his son and grandson join him in the hobby. They frequently would put on shows at family reunions and for friends.

Donovan was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul, Assumption of Mary and for the past several years, St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was a life-member of the Knights of Columbus and Elks Lodge and enjoyed membership in the Eagles Lodge and American Legion. He served on the Farmers Union Oil Company Board and was President of the Farm School.

Donovan counted his many blessings, the land, his wife, his family, his friends as such special gifts from his Lord and Savior.

Donovan’s loving family include his wife Mary Kay of nearly 64 years; his children Marilyn and her husband Jim Bleninger of Cando ND, Rodney Kitsch also of Cando and Linda and her husband Kent Lautenschlager of Greenwood, Missouri; seven grandchildren Josh (Alyssa) Bleninger and Kristen (Gurumurthy) Sundar: Mindy Kitsch and Ethan Kitsch: Kyle Lautenschlager, Kelsey (fiancé Chris Blackford) Lautenschlager and Kendra Lautenschlager; great grandchildren McKynlea Kitsch and Jacob Peterson; many dear nieces, nephew and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard and Cecelia Kitsch and sister Delores and Don Nip and parents-in-laws Ted and Gladys Anderson, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law John and Sally Anderson and Mike and Ruby Schepper.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Steven Wirth celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, rural Webster, ND. Visitation at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday, March 4^th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. The Rosary will be recited at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed at facebook.com/stjosephdvl.