John Kilde

Reverend John C. Kilde, 89, of Fergus Falls, Minnesota passed away peacefully at PioneerCare Center on February 18, 2026, after several months of declining health due to congestive heart failure and kidney failure.

John was born in Fergus Falls in 1936, the youngest of seven children, to John and Clara Kilde. He attended Hillcrest Lutheran Academy for high school, the University of Minnesota for college, and then the Lutheran Brethren Seminary, where he graduated with a Master of Divinity. He would later get his Master of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, while serving at Faith Lutheran Brethren Church in Briarcliff Manor, NY.

His ministry spanned 60 years. He served as a pastor at several congregations throughout New York, Minnesota, and North Dakota, as well as many years of teaching at Hillcrest and the LB Seminary in Fergus Falls. He loved being a pastor and he loved being a teacher. He loved his congregations and he loved his students. He loved to read and study and share it with others.

John was full of life and joy. He laughed loudly and often. He thought his own jokes were hilarious, but he never took himself too seriously. He loved a big group of people, but he equally loved a quiet kitchen and a stack of books. He loved books. He loved having books and reading books and talking about books, especially books about U.S. presidents. He loved traveling. And singing. He loved taking pictures. He loved U of MN clothing, and it did not take much to get a conversation started about Gopher sports. He loved Hillcrest sports and Bethel University football. He loved playing games, especially games he would usually win. He was absolutely convinced that the original edition of Trivial Pursuit was the only one that counted. He loved Peter Pan peanut butter and black licorice. He brought donuts from the City Bakery to his family every Saturday morning. He loved a routine.

He took his kids skating and sledding, made fires and told stories, and tried desperately to get his kids to listen to him read devotions at the supper table even though it never worked. He was married to Janet for 53 years and he loved doing life and ministry together with her. He especially loved having Janet by his side, holding hands for hours every day, during his last two months at Pioneer.

John Kilde will be missed. His presence filled up a room. He was an absolute delight.

He is preceded in death by his parents John and Clara (Stigen) Kilde, brothers Marlin and Lauren, sisters Sylvia (Strom), Cordelia (Trones), Ardith (Seaver), and Dorothy (Christianson). He is survived by his wife Janet (Ekeland); their four children - Rebekah, Kristin (husband Andy), Deborah (husband Jake), and John (wife Anna); and nine grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Lutheran Brethren Seminary or Hillcrest Lutheran Academy.

Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, February, 27, 2026 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Brethren Church in Fergus Falls, with a time of sharing at 5:30 p.m. Visitation will resume one-hour prior to the service at the church.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Brethren Church in Fergus Falls.

Clergy: Reverend David Strom

Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com