Please click on the video tribute below to view Wayne's memorial service.

Wayne Kitchell, 75, Ada, MN, passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at his residence in Ada.

Wayne Charles Kitchell was born May 1, 1947 to Charles and Beulah (Adkins) Kitchell in Ada, MN. He attended Ada Elementary and Ada High School, graduating in 1965. Following graduation, he spent one year at the Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis studying welding. He worked as a welder in Ada, farmed with his dad, and was a local handyman. In 1978, he married Solveig Nornes at Grace Lutheran Church in Ada. They had two girls, Elizabeth (Buffy) and Amy.

Wayne loved being outdoors particularly in the woods. He hunted deer and raccoon, had many dogs, and at one time raised dogs for the Krume Kennels in Dilworth, MN. His love of horseback riding led to a number of adventures, including as a wagon train driver and guide for the 1976 Bicentennial Girl Scout ride across North Dakota. He and his friend Bernard Boedekker also enjoyed riding through the Ozark Mountains and hunting for racoon on mule and horseback in Iowa. He was a friend to many and played a mean game of cribbage and canasta. He watched endless hours of classic westerns, particularly Roy Rogers, Gunsmoke, and John Wayne. Later in life he developed a love of woodworking, and his home and shop are a testament to his creativity and ingenuity. Wayne had a positive attitude about life despite many medical challenges, always ready with a smile and for a visit. When asked, "How are you Wayne?" his common response was "Well, parts of me are good!"  He loved being a grandpa and giving the kids rides on his golf cart (papa car) to the river to throw rocks or to town to get ice cream.

Wayne is survived by his wife Solveig; his daughters, Elizabeth (Neil) Rockstad & granddaughters, Nora (12) and Hazel (9); and Amy (Sean) Degerstrom & granddaughter, Zoey (8) & grandson, Maxwell (5); his three older sisters, Betty Croonquist, Audrey (Jim) Putnam, and Elaine Willems; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Beulah; his brother-in-law, Wilton Croonquist; and his grandson, Benton Degerstrom.

Memorial Service: 2:00 PM, Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN.

Visitation: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN, with a prayer service to begin at 6:30 PM.

Please view our guestbook and share condolences online for the family.