Karl Max Citurs

Karl Max Citurs, age 90, of Jefferson, IA, and formerly of Scranton, IA, passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, IA, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, May 12, 2023 at the Scranton United Methodist Church with Rev. Bobbi Maltas officiating.  Burial will be in the Scranton Township Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5 - 7 P.M. on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton.  The casket will be moved to the Scranton United Methodist Church on Friday at 9:30 A.M. where visitation will resume until 10:15 A.M.

In leu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the United Methodist Church of Scranton, P.O. Box 367, Scranton, Iowa 51462 and the Scranton Alumni Association, P.O. Box 2, Scranton, Iowa 51462.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton and online condolences may be left for the family at https://www.dahnandwoodhouse.com/obituary/karl-citurs

Karl was born in 1932 in Deer Creek, IA, and he was the son of Roman and Bessie (McAnally) Citurs.  He was the beloved husband of the late Freda Citurs for 55 years. Dear father of Kevin, Kirk and the late Kent Citurs.  Loving grandfather of Kallen (Chris) Gilliland and Paige Citurs and great-grandfather of Brantley Gilliland. Dear son of the late Bessie and Roman Citurs.  Loving siblings of the late Raymond (Mildred), Leon (Ina), Earl (Irene), Roman (Wanda) Citurs, and the late Mary (Arthur) Johnson, Ruby (Sidney) Harmon and Ester (Laverne) Flatness.  Dear in-law to the late William (Zelpha), Earl, Virgil (Eugenia), Dale, Raymond (Janice) Tilley and Bernice (Donald) Schuttler of Jefferson, dear uncle, cousin, and friend to many more.

Karl grew up on the family farm near Northwood, Iowa.  He developed a love for farming, hunting and fishing.  He was active in the local Future Farms of America (FFA) chapter, including winning an FFA Star Farmer award.  Karl attended Iowa State University, where he met his future wife Freda at a dance in the Memorial Union.  His university attendance ended when he was called to serve in the US Army in Korea, maintaining an active ongoing correspondence with Freda.  While in Korea, Karl was an electrician/generator operator for a MASH unit.  After his military service, Karl and Freda were married and began farming in Manson Iowa, where Kevin was born.  Following up on a contact Freda had with a bank in Jefferson Iowa, Karl and Freda moved their farming operation to Scranton Iowa, where the twins, Kent and Kirk were born.

Karl and Freda worked diligently to build a successful farming operation.  Karl had a very creative side, including linking two tractors together to increase the horsepower available for plowing that was featured in an article/photo in Wallace’s Farmer.  He also linked two 4 row planters together using a circle hitch to increase planting efficiency.  Thanks to the support of several local land owners, they increased the acreage they farmed. They created a corporation (CITTIL Farms) based on a blend of their prenuptial last names and continued to grow the operation, incorporating Kirk as an active partner.  In addition to his farming activities, Karl served multiple years on the Scranton school board, the Scranton elevator board, the Greene County Conservation Board, The Greene County Fair Board and was active in numerous church, school and local activities.

Family was very important to Karl and Freda. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.