Ura Kissner

Ura Kissner was born on the family farm on November 19, 1916, in Honnor Township, Redwood County, the daughter of Henry and Mary (Lipp) Simondet. She attended elementary school in North Redwood and graduated from Redwood Falls High School in 1934. Ura then attended Mankato Teachers College and graduated in 1936. She taught for 5 years in Renville and Cottonwood counties. Ura continued her education and graduated Cum Laude from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1968, with a Bachelor of Science Degree. She taught fifth grade for 25 years at Sanborn Public School. Ura was baptized and confirmed at the North Redwood Evangelical United Brethren Church. She married Theodore Kissner at the North Redwood Church on June 29, 1941. They farmed in Highwater Township until 1994, when they moved into Lamberton. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church, a Sunday School teacher, and the United Methodist Women, holding various offices in the church. Some of her accomplishments during her teaching career were being chosen Redwood County Teacher of the Year in 1976 and was honored on Elementary Teacher's Recognition Day at the Minnesota State Fair. In 1985, the Senior Class of Sanborn Public School chose her to be their commencement speaker and in 1987, the Junior Class chose her to be their guest speaker at the Junior-Senior Banquet and Prom. Ura enjoyed taking her students on their class trips to the Historical Museum at Redwood, the Lower Sioux Agency near Morton, and Fort Ridgely State Park. She was a member of the Extension Club and Garden Club. Ura Simondet Kissner died Saturday, April 28, 2007, at the Fairmont Medical Center Hospital in Fairmont at the age of 90 years. She is survived by son- Kenneth and wife Diane Kissner of Sherburn, MN; grandchildren- Dr. Matthew and wife Neena Kissner of Minneapolis, and Sarah Kissner of Anoka; sister-in-law- Viola Reif of Bismark, ND; and brother-in-law- Robert Kissner of Jeffers. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband- Theodore in 2005; two infant brothers; sisters- Iona Zihlke and Pauline Henke; and sisters-in-law- Agonia Borchardt, Luella Matzke, and Melba Tlam.