Donald Herbert Kitzrow, age 91, of Hill City, Minnesota passed away on April 16, 2023 at the New Glarus Home in New Glarus, Wisconsin, surrounded by family. He lived there most recently to be near his family due to health issues.

Donald was born on August 11, 1931 to Henry and Mary Kitzrow in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Don attended school in Hill City and graduated in 1949. After high school he attended a cooking school in the Twin Cities to become a chef. In 1951, he joined the U.S Air Force as a chef and later he retrained as a weather radar technician and eventually retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years of service to his country. During his time in the U.S. Air Force he was stationed at Johnston Island, Nebraska, Texas, Illinois, California and Italy. His favorite assignment was at Aviano Air Base in Northern Italy where he embraced Italian culture and learned to speak fluent Italian. Many years later while in his 70's he returned to Italy on a couple of trips to visit new friends and old acquaintances. In 2015, Donald was able to join the Northland Honor Flight from Duluth, Minnesota to Washington, DC. He was delighted to spend the day with many veterans and humbled by the visit to our magnificent monuments honoring those who sacrificed so much for our country.

After retiring from the U.S. Air Force, Don return to Hill City and partook in many jobs where he felt he could best use his skills and help others. He started by assisting in the construction of several homes, including his own beloved home and guest cabin on Hill Lake. He then decided to advance his skills and spent a couple years in Texas working in housing construction with his U.S. Air Force buddy, Gene Whellas. After having his fun in the South and getting his fair share of barbecue ribs, he decided to come home to Hill City where he worked at a sawmill with his close friend, Rick Jamme. He then was offered a job at Blandin Paper in Grand Rapids Minnesota in 1974 and worked there until his final retirement in 1994. Though he was technically retired, Don never used that as an excuse to rest. For several years after leaving Blandin, he logged timber on his property, from trees downed during a storm, with his Posi-Track. He loved to keep both his mind and hands busy as he grew his gardens in the spring/summer and hunted in his "forty" in the fall. Don took great joy in his gardens where he prided himself on his very large raspberry patch and three huge gardens, growing anything from onions, potatoes and asparagus to corn, beets, and so much more. He loved being able to take the food he grew with his own two hands and bring it to the table for all to enjoy. During the summer months, Don's grandchildren would spend anywhere from a couple weeks to a month visiting and gardening right beside him. He took great joy in teaching them the life skills he's learned, from catching and scaling a fish from Hill Lake to cooking his famous venison and beef stew. He truly cherished the time he got to spend with each and every one of them and would frequently boast to his friends how proud he was of them.

Don was also involved in many projects and hobbies over the years. One of his favorites was raising bees and enjoying the honey he got as a reward for his hard work. Additionally, he loved canoeing and fishing on Hill Lake and down the Willow River. He never came home without an adventure to share. Lastly, Don had a talent and passion for woodworking, making most of the furniture in his beautiful home and making other pieces for close family and friends. Overall, Don found his calling and joy in the outdoors. He believed that there was beauty in God's creation and found peace in its presence.

As a lover of the outdoors, Don was a member of the Long Lake Conservation Center of Palisade, Minnesota. He also helped manage Hill Lake Cemetery and was actively involved with the establishment of the Don Beerbower Memorial Park in Hill City, Minnesota. In 2014, Donald had the opportunity to visit Saint-Thierry, France for a ceremony honoring Don Beerbower, American Ace.

Don married his high school sweetheart Joyce McFarland on May 22, 1953. They would have celebrated 70 years of marriage this upcoming May. Preceding him in death are his parents Henry and Mary Kitzrow. Don is survived by his loving wife Joyce, two sons David (Andrea) and Troy (Pete Scott) Kitzrow, his bother-in-law Robert (Ruth) Baker and his five grandchildren: Katelyn, Jonathan, Marina, Alexander, and Olesya (Stephen) Van Horne.

Don was loved by all and truly a blessing and light to this world. Thank you to all who knew him and helped make his life as beautiful and meaningful as it was. We have peace knowing he is now with his Father in heaven.

Memorials can be given to the Hill City American Legion – Post 340, Attn: Hill City Honor Guard, P.O. Box 183, Hill City, MN 55748.

The family would like to thank the New Glarus Home for the wonderful care and compassion given to Don during his time there.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at the Alliance Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota beginning at 11:00 AM with a memorial service with military honors to follow at 12 Noon. Burial will take place at Hill Lake Cemetery, Hill City Minnesota.

Arrangements are with the Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com