Milton Kite

Milton Ward Kite was born November 8, 1932 on a farm near Auburn, Nebraska. One of four sons of Raymond and Bernice (Lund) Kite, he attended Center and Cochran rural schools and Auburn High School.

On February 2, 1951 Milt entered the U.S. Air Force, serving 30 months overseas during his term of duty. After his honorable discharge on February 10, 1955, he returned to the Auburn area.

Milton was united in marriage to Sandra Coulter on November 16, 1962 in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. They made their home near Auburn, and their family would grow to include six children: Daniella, Paula, Virginia, Robert, Stewart Allen, and Todd Steven.

Milt farmed and raised and fed cattle for over 30 years. He worked several years for Nider-Jergensen Construction and Constructors, Inc. in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was forced to retire from there when he could no longer work because of lung disease. Even then, Milt helped his farmer friends in the area and hauled a lot of grain at harvest time.

Milt was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Auburn. He was a longtime member of American Legion Post #23, VFW Post #7299, and 40 & 8 Voiture #1572. He served many years as an officer in the Legion, including Commander and County Commander. Milt was the Legion Easter Egg Chair for over 30 years, and served as gate man for Legion baseball and Firing Squad Commander for many years. The Citizenship Medal from the Department of Nebraska was just one of the many awards he received during his time with the Legion. He also served on the Nemaha County Veterans Service Board.

As his lung disease progressed, Milton was eventually confined mostly to his home. It was at his home, on Saturday, January 26, 2013, that he passed away peacefully in his bed. He had attained the age of 80 years, 2 months, and 18 days. Milt was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Lawrence and Jim.

Milton is survived by his wife Sandra of Auburn; children Daniella Ernst of Germany; Paula Winkelman of Auburn; Virginia and husband Mike Vinson of Auburn; Robert Kite of Auburn; Allen Kite of Auburn; Todd Kite of Auburn; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; brother John and wife Nancy Kite of Grand Junction, CO; other relatives and many friends.

Memorial services were Monday, January 28, 2013 at First Presbyterian Church in Auburn, officiated by Rev. Penny Schulz. Special vocal music was performed by Michelle Schuetz, Elizabeth Hestermann, and Rebecca Smallfoot, accompanied by Steve Smallfoot. Ruth Leslie was organist for the services. Honorary bearers were Claude ?Buck? Jones, Warren ?Corky? Jones, Barney Carter, Dennis Kimball, Milo Leslie, and Kevin Wheeler. Inurnment of ashes was in the Kite Cemetery near Auburn, with graveside military honors provided by American Legion Post #23 of Auburn and the Air Force Honor Guard.