Cyril (C.J.) John Molitor

Cy was born on November 29, 1931, on a farm east of Milroy, Westline Township, Redwood County, MN, the oldest of six children of John B. and Agnes Maime Jarveis Molitor. On January 11, 1949, he entered the U.S. Air Force which turned into a 21 year career from which he retired on February 1, 1970. He served in Japan, Korea, Turkey and Vietnam. He had been in a total of 27 countries and islands. Cy was working for the Tri County Cooperative I Tracy when a financial crisis came about and they were forced to close. He then went to Iowa and worked for Land O Lakes in credit management for a short time. Cy then formed his own credit management firm, CJ & Associates that he operated until 1996 when he sold it and retired. This turned out to be a very good venture, one he was proud of. Cy married Eleanor Jane Noggle on April 25, 1954, and to this marriage was born three sons: Steven Wayne of Stanwood, WA, Ronald David of Camano Island, WA, Rance Allen of El Paso, TX. The marriage ended in divorce. He married Hazel June Van Klei Jokstad on November 29, 1968, in Honolulu, HI. He was blessed with three wonderful step-sons: Carlyle, Carlton and Carl Jokstad. Two daughters were born to this marriage: Kimberlee Ann Molitor-Winters of Mason City, IA, and Kellee Annette Molitor-Vivens of San Antonio, TX. He was very proud of the accomplishments of his children. Cy enjoyed government work and politics. He served two years on the Lyon County Comprehensive Planning Commission and was co-chair, four years on the Lynd City Council, Lyon County Republican Committee and was a County Commissioner from 2003 – 2004, and Lynd Mayor from 2006 – 2007. He was also very proud that he was able to serve his country in the military for 21 years. He was a volunteer at Southwest Minnesota State University History Center for many years. He always said that one of his favorite people was the director Jan Louwagie. It was a joy to work with her he said. He is a member of the First Baptist Church, rural Marshall, MN. Cy was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disables Americans (DAV) and was a member of American Legion Post 113 of Marshall. He formerly served on the Honor Guard and was a former Post 113 Legion Commander. He was also a Boys State Counselor and later its historian and wrote a book concerning the history of Boys State in Minnesota. One of his hobbies was genealogy. He did 3 family histories and a cemetery index which has been used extensively for research purposes. He copied and made CD’s that was sent out to various places in the U.S. and Canada. He was treasurer of the Prairieland Genealogical Society for 10 years which was located at Southwest Minnesota State University and now at the Lyon County Museum. He was also very active in the production of the quarterly newsletter, the Prairieland Pioneer during this time. Cy died Monday, December 21, 2015, unexpectedly at his residence in Marshall. Cy is survived by his sons Steven Wayne, Rance Allen (Sonia) Ronald David and daughters Kimberlee Ann Winters and Kellee Annette (Michael) Vivens; step-sons Carlton (Cheryl) and Carl Jokstad of Tracy, MN; brothers Maynard (Marlene) Molitor, Richard Molitor; sisters Darlene Molitor-Bellecourt and Delores Molitor-Van Overbeke; sisters-in law Jenice Molitor and Jean Van Klei-Wagge; brother-in-law Pete (Patricia) Van Klei; grandchildren Stacie and Rance Molitor, Jonas (RickiLee Jensen) and Lucas (Tiffany) Molitor, Trevon and Mikayla Vivens; and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife on June 18, 2012, his parents, grandparents and several aunts, uncles and cousins, step-son Carlyle Brent Jokstad, father and mother-in-law William L. & Frances Vivian Van Klei, brother Gordon Molitor, sisters-in-law Mathilda Marie Kubica and Zelma Rose Benson, brothers-in-law William Arie “Ike” Van Klei, John Kenneth Van Klei, Gaylen Benson, and Ronald “Bud”Van Overbeke. Monday, December 28, 2015 11:00 AM