Dean Kihle
Dean David Kihle, age 78, of Crosby, N.D., and formerly of Columbus, N.D., passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011, at his home.
Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, at Faith Lutheran Church in Columbus, with Pastor Morris Kirchhof officiating. Burial with Military Honors followed at Pleasant Prairie Cemetery in rural Columbus.
Dean was born on Feb. 11, 1933, on the family farm to Judeen and Margorie (Kennedy) Kihle of Columbus. He was raised about five miles south of Columbus. He attended the mine schools and graduated from Columbus High School.
Dean married Karmen Lee Ann Bonsness in Columbus on Sept. 23, 1951. They lived north of Columbus until he enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Oklahoma. After his honorable discharge, they moved back to Columbus, where he went to work for MDU. He was transferred to Crosby in 1989 after 35 years in Columbus, where he retired in 1993. He also helped the Bonsness brothers farm for many years.
Dean was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, the Lions Club, American Legion, a city council member for over 20 years, and a volunteer with the fire and ambulance departments, all in Columbus. He was also a member of the Crosby Moose Lodge.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sisters, Shirley and Karen; one sister-in-law; and seven brothers-in-law.
He is survived by his children; Kristie Kihle of Columbus, Eddie (Celeste) Kihle of Elk River, Minn., Julie Huschka of Dickinson, N.D., and Troy (Kristen) Kihle of Bismarck; ten grandchildren; Christopher (Susan), Anna (Rickey), Sarah, Adam, Raechel, Andrew, Thomas, Paige, Taylyn and Peyton; eight great-grandchildren; Kaitlyn, Taylor, Devyn, Mitchell, Tyler, Jesse, Joslyn and Maverick; sister, Pat Anderson of Michigan; seven sisters-in-law and five brothers-in-law.