NEW ULM–John Peter Kissner passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025, peacefully and pain free at home with his family, just the way he wanted it.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 11am on Friday, April 25, 2025 at Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Church in New Ulm with Father Gerald Meidl officiating. Burial will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery. Full military honors will be provided by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard. A visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – NORTH chapel and will continue from 9:30-11am on Friday at the church, prior to the service. To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org

John is survived by his wife, Bonnie, of 65 years; daughter, Colleen (Charlie) Mallinson; son, Steve (Mary) Kissner; daughter, Jennifer (Mike) Mielke; grandchildren, Kyle Mallinson, Logan and Madalyn Mielke; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his many siblings.

John was born on December 4, 1935 in Stewart, Minnesota to Russian immigrants, Joseph and Anna (Gerling) Kissner, the 17th of 18 children. He grew up in Stewart, attending the Catholic grade school there, then the public high school until his sophomore year. Years later, he earned his GED. After losing his mother when he was five, and then his father when he was 17, there was no place to call home, so he joined the US Army in 1953, where he was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany, for two years.

In 1959, he was united in marriage to Bonnie Lange at Holy Family Catholic Church in Lake Crystal and settled in New Ulm, where they raised their family. John was an extremely hard worker. Anyone he’s ever worked with would tell you the same. He worked at Kraft and then 3M, where he retired in 1997, after 37 years. Work gave John purpose. After “retiring”, he worked at various places part-time, and finally settled in at Chuck Speath Ford, where he worked for 18 years until the age of 87, when his body just wouldn’t let him work anymore. He spoke so fondly of his Ford family – especially Brian and Patty, who were so kind and patient with him, and made him feel appreciated.

John loved to stay active and walked four miles a day well into his 80s. He also took pride in being able to mow his own lawn, shovel, and blow his own snow until his later years. He always made sure everything was maintained at home, sometimes coming up with his own diy modifications for things so they would work even better. He was also quick to pitch in to help his kids with projects at their homes. In his younger years, he taught himself how to play the concertina and would play for the big Kissner family at the annual family reunions. John had a strong faith, praying the rosary daily and regularly attending Mass. He loved spending time with his family, often giving them advice on life, especially finances and work, cheering on his grandkids in life and sporting events, where a good play made by them would bring a proud tear to his eye. He also appreciated a nice cup of hot, hot decaf. Countless cherished memories will forever stay in the hearts of those who loved him. Blessed be those memories.

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