Wesley Gene Trytten, 68, of Kiester, MN, passed away on Friday, February 16, 2024, in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Mary’s Campus after complications from his second aortic aneurysm. Wes was born on June 4,1955 to Ervin Trytten and Delores (Charlson) Harms in Wells, MN. He grew up in Kiester, MN, and Lake Mills, IA attending schools in both cities. He graduated from Kiester High School in 1973.
After graduating high school, he worked many different jobs including starting his own seed company. He eventually landed at Farmland Foods in Albert Lea, MN, where his career really kicked off. His hard work and dedication lead to his recruitment for a position in Ottumwa, IA to become a manager at Excel Corp (now Cargill Meat Solutions). Moving his young family with three children out of the area was a tough decision, but it turned out very well. He thrived in the new town with his family, quickly making new lifelong friends and memories that he cherished throughout the rest of his life.
If you know anything about Wes, you know that what he enjoyed most besides spending time with his kids and grandchild, was golfing. Wes was an avid golfer who carried a very low handicap and participated in many golf tournaments where he was pegged as the winner even before the tournament took place. His passion for golf was contagious and if you were ever lucky enough to golf with him, you undoubtedly came out of that round with a couple of tips that made your game better every time.
During his high school years he met his future wife, Kathleen Jo (Van Engelenburg) Trytten. The two united in marriage on September 3, 1976 and became Mom and Dad to three children: Tia, Jill, and Ryan. His kids became a focus of his life and throughout the extremely active sports years of all three kids. He did everything he could to be at every single game – even trying to be in two places at once! His love of sports, watching, and helping his kids thrive in their athletics was something that really made him happy. The memories made during these years carried through to every family holiday discussion and sometimes good-natured heated debates. If you ask any parent or child who was fortunate enough to be a part of the teams during those years you will hear a few consistent themes: ‘he was one in a million’; ‘he was so fun to be around’, ‘the life of the party’. He always had a huge smile and quick-witted comment and could tell a joke like none other. He was the face in the crowd you looked forward to seeing when you walked into a place. He will live on in all of us in these ways.
Wes is survived by his children: Tia (Michael) Sullivan of Waukee, IA; Jill (Bill) Denniston of Ottumwa, IA; Ryan Trytten (friend Shelby) of Conger, MN; grandchild, Remmy Sullivan; step-grandchildren, Ryne Denniston and Reece (Erin) Denniston; former wife, Kathleen Trytten; sister-in-law, Dena Trytten; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin and Doris Trytten and Delores Harms; three brothers, Bradley Trytten, Kevin Trytten, and Douglas Trytten; and parents-in-law, David and Marge Mutschler.
A special thank you goes out from the family to Kiester Ambulance as well as the entire Surgical ICU Floor 7 in Mary Brigh, Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Mary’s Campus, for the incredible care provided over the last several weeks and for allowing him to pass away with dignity.
A Celebration of Life event will be held for Wes at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to the Nasinec Funeral Home & Crematory, 789 Business Park Drive, Wells, MN 56097 in honor of Wesley G. Trytten and his family.
Trytten family, my sympathy to you all. Hugs and prayers are being sent out.
Oh wow! Am so sorry to hear this news.
Sympathy to all the family.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the beautiful Trytten family. May God’s love continue to guide you with the great memories of Mr. Trytten always in your hearts.
He was a wonderful man! Our hearts and prayers are with you all. God bless, Mark and Connie Hammersley-Wilson
Prayers to Trytten family. I worked with him at Excel on the in Fresh Sasuage lines in Ottumwa. He always had us laughing on the line. He was bigger than life. He made it to where I enjoyed going to work.
So sorry to hear of Wes’s passing. Enjoyed many gatherings with him. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Trenton family. God bless all of you.
So sorry for your loss! You’re in my thoughts and prayers!!!
Very sad news for all of us who know Wes and his family. Condolences to Kathy, Tia, Jill and Ryan.
You know you have my love and condolences. Your description of Wes was so on the money. He was the one who could brighten everyone’s mood. It is hard for me to see another Trytten gone from this earth leaving Paul, Twyla and I as the last of the first cousins. Crocodile tears run as I think back on the memories we shared growing up and I am so glad we got to have some very good conversations before he got so sick! Now I will have two bear huggers waiting for me in heaven.
Back in the early 90’s, Wes was a coach for our pee wee baseball team, the McDonald’s A’s. He would always give me advice and encouragement to get better, I never forgot that.
I would always check in on Ryan’s progress in professional baseball, which I’m sure Wes was so proud of.
Thoughts with Tia, Jill, Ryan and families. Rest in peace Wes.
We are so sorry to hear about Wes. We all know how much his smile brightened our day! So many fun memories from those days at KHS. Condolences to all the family.
You all have been and will continue to be in our prayers and thoughts. May you feel God’s peace and love. We’re thinking of all the softball games, church activities we enjoyed together. One year Wes and Ron were wise men in the church Christmas program. Such good memories.