MILAN A. DEWITT

Milan Albert DeWitt, age 86, of Maple Grove, formerly of Mora, MN passed away on November 4, 2023. Milan will be remembered as being good to his core. He was kind, loving, generous, faith-filled and full of unwavering integrity. 

He was born in Rapid City, SD on October 3, 1937 to Wayne and Opal (Peterson) DeWitt. Wayne and Opal moved their family to a farm north of Ogilvie, MN when Milan was just an infant.  Milan would share stories of working chores before school and then riding his horse to the one-room schoolhouse down the road. He was very involved in 4-H, showing his Hereford steers at the county fair.

In 8th grade, he moved to Ogilvie High School where the only seat left in the classroom was right behind a cute young girl named Mary Ellens. Milan participated in football, basketball and baseball for the Lions and graduated in 1955.  He then attended Minneapolis Business College.

On June 3, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart, that same cute young girl he met in 8th grade.  Milan and Mary settled in Mora, MN in 1957.  His first job was as an accountant at the Mora Ford Garage. From there he moved on to be the Mora Village Clerk before joining Kanabec State Bank where he worked as a loan officer for 40 years, touching countless lives in the community.  He continued to be active at the bank on the Board of Directors for several years following retirement. 

In their 54 years in Mora, Milan was very involved in organizations such as Jaycees, Lions Club, Kanabec Hospital Board, City Planning Commission, and Commercial Club among others.  He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing and golfing with friends and family as well as involvement with the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association and Pheasants Forever. Milan and Mary were also long-time active members of Zion Lutheran Church in Mora and his faith was a very important part of his life.  

Milan’s focus on family started with his endless devotion to Mary, who he loved passionately. They raised four children who meant the world to them. He was a wonderful grandfather to 11 grandchildren and most recently, four great grandchildren. Through the years, many hours were spent in gyms, fields, auditoriums, theaters, and rinks, loving and supporting them all. But the best family memories come from 50 years on Clear Lake in Glen, MN.  Their door was always open for family and friends and Milan was still able to enjoy the cabin this past summer. 

To be closer to family, the past two years of Milan’s life were spent living at Havenwood Senior Living of Maple Grove, MN.  His family is grateful for the amazing care provided by their staff.  They all had a special place in their hearts for Milan. 

Milan is preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Opal DeWitt; sister Delores (Dick) Peterson; brother Duane (Dottie) DeWitt; father and mother-in-law Henry and Helen Ellens.

He is survived by his wonderful wife of 67 years, Mary; son Greg (Gayle) DeWitt and children Meredith (Nick) and Andrew; son Jeff (Kelly) DeWitt and children Kayla and Matthew; daughter Carolyn (David) Carlson and children Katie (Brandon), Nicole, Scott (Andrea), and Danny (Taylor); daughter Angie (Michael) Maass and children Benton, Mitchell and Ellie; great-grandchildren William, Stella, Emmett and Max; sister Diane (Dell) Turnacliff; many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, November 10 at Zion Lutheran Church in Mora.

A VISITATION will be held 1 hour prior to the service.

A LUNCHEON will follow the service.

INTERMENT will follow at the Oakwood Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers, Memorial are preferred to the Mora Food Pantry and Zion Lutheran Preschool programs

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