Delphin Kietzer

Delphin David Kietzer, age 99, of Vernon Center passed away peacefully from natural causes Thursday October 19, 2023 at Oaklawn in Mankato where he had resided since January of 2023.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 28, 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church Willow Creek, 13148 499th Ave, Vernon Center. Visitation will be prior to the funeral service from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Burial will be at St. John’s Lutheran Willow Creek North Cemetery after the service. The service will be livestreamed and available below.

Delphin was born November 29, 1923 at home on the farm in Willow Creek near Vernon Center. He was the son of Leo and Esther (Urban) Kietzer. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Willow Creek. Delphin went to school at St. John’s Lutheran School in Willow Creek less than a mile from his home. He married Doris Denn in 1950 and the couple were married nearly 68 years. They were farmers west of Vernon Center their entire lives.  Delphin was a farmer in the purist sense of the word. When he started farming as a young boy 90 years ago, they planted corn & beans with a horse drawn planter. Near the end of his life, he was amazed as he watched a video of actual driver-less tractors planting corn near his farm.  

He enjoyed going to his children’s and grandchildren’s events, serving on the Men’s Club at the church where he held public offices of Trustee, Eldor, School Board, Finance and Cemetery committees. He and Doris loved going for coffee at her sister Toots’ house.

They were blessed with 3 children.  Delphin was an incredibly selfless, loving and caring Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa always putting his family first.

Delphin is survived by his 3 children, Jeffrey (Jane) Kietzer of Vernon Center, Julie (Jeff) More of Mapleton, and Jonathan (Cheryl) Kietzer of Mankato; grandchildren, Krista (Joe) Kietzer, Lucas (Sara) Kietzer, Jennifer (Matt) Marzen, Joshua (Julie) More, Justin (Megan) More, Jessica (Jeremy) Engelen, Jodi (Sam) Hoverson, Tyler (Augustine) Kietzer, Courtney Kietzer, and Samuel Kietzer; great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Jadyn Kietzer, Maddison and Wesley Marzen, Karly and Blake More, Jaxson More, Evelyn Hoverson, Abby, Mason, Allie and Brynn Engelen, and Analiah Kietzer; brother-in-law, Richard “Butch” (Barbara) Denn; sister-in-law, Betty Kietzer; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Doris Kietzer; parents, Leo and Esther Kietzer; father and mother-in-law, Jacob and Martha Denn; brothers, Willard, John and Hartwin Kietzer; sisters-in-law, Marion (Darrel “Van”) Van Sickle and Bernice (Richard “Bailey”) Bailey, brothers-in-law, Warren (Sylvia) Denn and Robert (Esther and Judy) Denn; and sisters-in-law, Iona Kietzer and Lois Kietzer.

The family would also like to give special thanks to the Mayo Hospice Staff and Oaklawn Staff. Memorials are preferred to go to those organizations.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by

Northview – North Mankato Mortuary.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.