Elmer Edward Kienitz, age 99, of Raymond passed away Monday morning, January 26 at Bethesda Grand.

A private family burial was held on Monday, February 2, at Fairview Cemetery in Raymond with military honors provided by Peters Leuze American Legion Post #420. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Raymond. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com.

Elmer Edward Kienitz was born October 10, 1926, to Louis and Anna (Peglow) Kienitz in Edwards Township near Raymond Minnesota. He grew up with his two older brothers and a younger sister on the farm. His father passed away when Elmer was 12 years old. His family continued to farm and received great advice and help from his uncle, aunt, and cousins who lived across the road. World War II broke out and after high school graduation in 1945 Elmer was drafted by the Army and the war ended soon thereafter. He served stateside until his honorable discharge in 1946. He returned home where he farmed with his brother Harvey and his mother. He farmed with his brother until Harvey's retirement in 1985 and then with his sons until his own retirement in 1991. He continued chisel plowing until he was 95. His favorite things from his farming days were hand picking ear corn with his father, running the corn picker and filling silos with the neighbors.

Elmer attended many ballroom dances in the area with his friends. At the Fiesta Ballroom in Montevideo, he met Joyce Voorhees. They were married on August 5, 1962, in Grand Meadow, MN. They had two sons, Wendell, born in 1963 and Kraig in 1965. They lived on the family farm until 1999 when they moved to the town of Raymond.

Elmer was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and the Raymond American Legion Post #420. After retirement he traveled with Joyce, especially to Arizona to visit his sister and family. In his free time after retirement, he loved to go to farm auctions and drive around the country to see what was going on and check the crops. He also enjoyed watching his grandkids sporting events.

He is survived by his two sons, Wendell (Kelli) Kienitz and Kraig (Jeanette) Kienitz, all of Raymond; seven grandchildren, Trisha (Jacob) Demarais, Katie (Michael) Hanna, Brady (special friend Kylie) Kienitz, Kier (Michaela) Kienholz, Kendra (Sam) Peterson, Karissa (Nate) Stenzel, and Ella Kienitz, and 9 great grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his wife, Joyce; his parents; his nephew, Larry Kienitz; and all of his siblings and their spouses and his in-laws.