Mom was born at home outside Golva, North Dakota to Michael and Suzanne Bertram Finneman. She was the second of five children. Mom (99 1/3) died peacefully at our home in Salem. She attended a one room school in Berkey, and graduated from Golva High in 1932. She eventually left home to attend a business school in Fargo, ND. Her first paid job was as a bank teller in Casselton, ND where she caught the eye of her future husband, Martin "Bud" Kittel. They were married in San Francisco, January 18th, 1944. After Bud was released from the Merchant Marines they packed up all their belongings and moved up Canal Creek, seven miles East of Waldport, to start a logging operation. Mom drove the log truck, the loader, and my dad crazy. In 1955, they relocated to their present home on the Alsea River where mom and dad raised eight kids, several sheep, lots of dogs, cats, cows, food, and heck. Mom was active in St. Anthony's Alter Society until she was 92.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bud, in 1999. She is survived by her children: Susan (Foster-Robbie) Robinson, Eugene, Or; Phoebe (Steve) Miletich, Vancouver, Wa; Michael (Gayle Shook), Sebastipol, Ca; Cody (Chris) Martin, Salem, Or; Steve and Buster Kittel, Waldport, Or; Joe (Zelda) Kittel, Sherwood, Or; Andy (Kelly) Kittel, Waldport, Or.; 20 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; also, her sister, Wiene Barthel, Beach, ND; lots of nieces; nephews; and cousins around the world.

Please join us in a celebration of life Friday, April 25th, 11 am at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 4227 Lone Oak Road SE, Salem, Or. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Anthony's Alter Society, Waldport, Or; Queen of Peace Catholic Church, a charity of your choice, humorous stories and/or prayers.

Published in the Salem, Oregon Statesman Journal on Apr. 20, 2014.