Waldo Eugene Kjos, 78, Hitterdal, Minnesota, went to be with the Lord March 8th, 2008. Waldo was born April 1st, 1929 to Einar and Alpha (Krogen) Kjos and lived with his family in Hawley, MN. After his mothers death he lived with an aunt in Hansboro, North Dakota, for several years before returning to Hawley. Waldo served his country in WWII, enlisting in the navy when he was 17. While in the navy he served on three different ships. After his discharge he returned to the Hawley community. He married Darlene Erickson Schultz on August 20th, 1950 in Hawley. They made their home in Hawley for a short time before moving to Hitterdal, MN. They have lived there since. Most of Waldo's working years were spent as a heavy equipment operator throughout Minnesota. He was also employed by the Clay County Highway Department as a grader operator and with snowplowing.
Darlene and Waldo took pride in keeping an immaculate yard and enjoyed visiting with family and friends admiring the flowers.
Waldo enjoyed owning, riding and training horses. He enjoyed fishing, camping, woodworking, sunsets at Height of Land Lake, carting numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren in his jeep and golf cart and spoiling his dogs Tilly and Teddy.
Waldo will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by a loving wife of 57 years, Darlene; eight children, Todd (Arlene) Hitterdal, MN, Shirley (Ron) Gwin Mapleton, ND, Wayne (Melanie) Ulen, MN, Kristi (Vernon) Prestegord Twin Valley, MN, Mike (Jenny) Hawley, MN, LuAnn (Ole) Larson Lake Park, MN, Jim (LouAnn) Ulen, MN and Lynnette (Ross) Wagner Brainerd, MN;. 30 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, sister Ruby Halvorson, Spokane WA; neighbors, Curt and Carolyn Lofgren who have been like family and several nieces and nephews.
Waldo was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Mickey, Dan and Clifford and sisters Maye, Alice and Ardie.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday March 12, 2008 at 11:00am in the Salem Lutheran Church, Hitterdal, Minnesota. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00pm until 7:00 pm with at Prayer Service at 7:00pm all in the church. Officiating will be Pator Jim Hulberg with Penny Herzog serving as organist and Wesley and Jillian Wagner providing special music. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Bryan Gwin, Brandon Gwin, Tyler Larson, Brett Larson, Beau Kjos, Josh Kjos, Nick Kjos, Taylor Kjos, Wesley Wagner, Casey Wagner and J.R. Prestegord. Honorary pallbearers will be all of the rest of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Military honors will be provided by the Ulen VFW Post #5115 and the Ulen Post #412 of the American Legion.
Interment will be in the East Salem Lutheran Cemetery, Hitterdal, Minnesota.