Delaine Kjos

Delaine E. (Feine) Kjos, age 89, died peacefully at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital on Sunday, December 31, 2023. Delaine was born on March 17, 1934 to Willard and Eleanor (Pappenfus) Feine in Hart, MN. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Hart and both baptized and confirmed there. She graduated from Rushford High School in 1952 and enjoyed participating in the high school band where she played French horn. Delaine married her high school sweetheart, Carroll M. Kjos in 1953. They started farming outside of Rushford before moving to the Hart Ridge, where they farmed for many years.  Her love of teaching drew her back to college as a non-trad student after having four children. She taught special education, and sixth grade at Houston Public Schools many years before retiring in 1999. She was never at a loss of energy as she would take a full load of college classes, drive tractor on the farm, tend to her children’s activities and have a meat and potato dinner ready for her family all the same day.  She was a wonderful mother who loved and adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Delaine was very active in the Rushford community and participated in events such as Band Mothers, Town and Country Federated Club, Rushford Lions Club, Red Hats, and served her church in many facets including church organist and the St. John’s Ladies Kitchen Band. Delaine had a solid faith in God and taught her children Christian values. Delaine and Carroll traveled with friends to Europe and Asia as well as many amazing places here in America. After Carroll passed away, Delaine continued with several memorable cruises, and many bus trips with her sister Irene and Merlin Doblar and dear friend, Betty Culhane.  Following the Rushford flood, Delaine volunteered at Montini Hall making and serving meals for those who suffered from flood damage.

Delaine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carroll; daughter-in-law, Cherryl Kjos; brother, Ken Feine; sister-in-law, Doris Feine; sister, Irene Doblar; brother-in-law, Merlin Doblar; mother-in-law, Hilda Kjos; father-in-law, Norman Kjos; and neice, Penny (Doblar) Prang.

She is survived by her four children: Denny (Teri) Kjos of Roseau, MN, Wanda (Tom) Kopperud of Rushford, Donny Kjos of Rushford, and Jason (Lori) Kjos of River Falls, WI; seven grandchildren: Justin (Kristina) Kjos, Adam (Kelsey) Kopperud, Chelsea (Jeffrey) O’Donnell, Lindsay (Jake) Roberts, Whitney (Trinity) Otto, Amelia (Jackson) Vanderwagen, and Ambrea Kjos, and fourteen great-grandchildren.

The family prefers memorials to be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Good Shepherd/Bremmer Suites.

A funeral service will be held Friday, January 5, 2024 at 11:00am at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hart, MN. Visitation will be Thursday, January 4 from 4-7pm at Hoff Funeral Home in Rushford, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Brand Cemetery in Hart.