Richard Joseph Kozitza

Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary 2060 Commerce Drive North Mankato, Minnesota 56003 507-388-2288 Richard "Pike" Kozitza Sr., age 93, of North Mankato, died Monday, November 24, 2014, at Pathstone Assisted Living. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 28th from 4 pm to 7 pm at Northview- North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato. There will be a private funeral service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice - Mankato, Pathstone Living, or donor's choice. Richard was born November 3, 1921, on the family farm in Mapleton to Emma and Thomas Kozitza. He was baptized at the Mapleton Catholic Church on November 27, 1921. He attended school within District 34 and entered the United States Navy in September of 1942 where he achieved the rank of Boatswains Mate Second Class and was honorably discharged in November of 1945. On September 26th, 1944 he married Orvah Lindsoe at the church of St. Michaels in Belgrade Township, Nicollet County. They farmed in Granby Township from 1950 until 1965 when they moved to North Mankato. Pike leased and operated the Derby station on Riverfront drive for many years and later retired from the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Pike was a member of Holy Rosary Church and the Knights of Columbus. Orvah passed away on May 31, 1991. On February 10, 1997, he married Irma Hendley at Christ the King Church in Mesa, Arizona. Irma passed away on March 1, 2013. Pike was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Orvah and Irma; daughter- in- law, Jan Kozitza; great grandchild, Hannah Kozitza; his five brothers, Daniel, Ken, Francis, Clifford, and Ron; and his five sisters, Lucretia, Bernita, Mae, Donna, and Mary. Pike is survived by his three sons, Tony and his wife, Lisa of North Mankato, Richard Jr. and his wife, Ruth of North Mankato, Bill and his wife, Sherry of Madison Lake; three daughters, Sandy Schaefer and her husband, Mark of Fairfax, Jacquie Grams and her husband, Brian of North Mankato, and Trudie Gustafson and her husband, Jack of North Mankato. He is also survived by sixteen grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends. Pike's family would like to thank all the staff at Pathstone for their loving and wonderful care of our Dad and Grandpa.