George Kill

George Steve Kill died on January 12, 2009 at the age of 87 after a brief illness. He was the son of William John Kill and Josephine (Majerus) Kill. He was born on April 20, 1921, on his parents’ farm 4 miles north of Morris and lived his entire life in the Morris/Chokio area. On November 23, 1943 he married Lauretta Charlotte Eklund at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. Following their marriage, they lived with George’s parents until 1946, when they moved to their first farm south of Chokio. They purchased their second and last farm south of Morris in 1951, where they raised their family and farmed grain and livestock. In 1985, they moved to their retirement home close to Morris, where George has lived since that time. His wife Lauretta died last May.

George was a long-time member of Knights of Columbus and Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. He was active with the Pork Producers and Cattlemans Association. George enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with all of his grandchildren.

George is survived by eight children: Tony (Karen) Kill of Newton, MA, Jo Moderie of Apple Valley, Ted (Barb) Kill of Hancock, Nick (Sandy) Kill of Morris, Mary (David) Fennell of Fergus Falls, Tim (Sher) Kill of Waunakee, WI, Jean (Wayne) Lesmeister of Morris and Steve (Lori) Kill of Morris; one son-in-law: Don Moderie of Eagan; 21 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren and many, many nieces, nephews and godchildren.

He is also survived by one brother: Herb Kill and one sister: Betty Pollard. As well as ten brothers/sisters-in-law: Elma Lesmeister, Lillian Lesmeister, Marilyn Wilson, Jeannine & Earl Hemmerick, Irene Kill, Geesian Kill, Don Jost, Kathryn Claussen and Joyce Kill.

George is preceded in death by his wife, Lauretta; one daughter: Lorelei Moderie; one son-in-law: Bill Moderie; two brothers: Leonard Kill and Bill Kill; three sisters: Kathryn Cook, Irene Jost and Eileen Kill; and twelve brothers/sisters-in-law: Paul Cook, Les Pollard, Berdella Jost, Bernadine Farl, Don Farl, Irene Eklund, Audrey Hauglund, Nettie Boettcher, Martin Boettcher, Bob Wilson, John Lesmeister, and Urban Lesmeister.

Pallbearers for the serve are George’s grandsons: James Kill, Isaac Kill, Nathaniel Fritz-Kill, Zachary Fritz-Kill, Taylor Fennell, Jared Moderie, Lloyd Lesmeister, Jacob Moderie and Kurtis Kill. Darlene Hennen will serve as pianist for the service with Holly Giese serving as soloist/song leader. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.