Kenneth Spittler

Kenneth R. Spittler, age 89, of Winona, passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2020, at the Winona Health Hospital.

He was born on July 10, 1931, in Winona, to Fred and Lorene (Dingfelder) Spittler, and was a 1949 graduate of Winona High School.  He honorably served his country with the United States Army from 1952 – 1954, where he spent 18 months in Korea as a heavy truck mechanic.  He was united in marriage with the love of his life, Delores Nielsen, on his 23rd birthday, July 10, 1954, in Winona.

Ken was a lifetime mechanic and “car whisperer” and was employed with C.P. Venables from May 1949 to May 1971, and they guaranteed him his job upon his return from serving in the military.  He subsequently worked for Nystrom Motors from May 1971 to July 1996, and for Winona Motor Parts from January 1997 until April 2008.

He was a member of the Winona Amateur Radio Club and of St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winona.

Ken will be remembered for his love of building and flying remote control airplanes. He was proud of his O-negative blood type, and that he was able to give blood often, achieving a total of 26 gallons of blood donated during his lifetime.

Ken is lovingly survived by his wife, Delores; sons: Alan and Donald (Tina); daughter: Lynda (Jeff); grandchildren: Becki, Daniel, Kenna, and Michael; great-grandchildren: Jacob, Matthew, Gracelyn, Raika, Robert, and Sierra; step-grandchildren: Erin and JT; step-great-great-grandchildren: Rosalie, Titon, Paxton, and Ella; as well as other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by a son, David in 2018; his parents; and step-mother, Leola.

Visitation will be held from 10 AM until the funeral service at 11 AM on Friday, October 30, 2020, at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, 376 East Sarnia Street in Winona.  Following the service, the American Legion Leon J. Wetzel Post 9 of Winona will provide military honors at the funeral home.  Ken will be laid to rest at the Fountain City Public Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Alan Spittler, Donald Spittler, Michael Spittler, Tracy Storlie, JT Schwering, and Tony Schwering.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that donations be considered to St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 766 West Wabasha St.  Winona, MN  55987, or to the Winona Amateur Radio Club PO Box  1451  Winona, MN  55987.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Ken’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.