"Mary, my deepest sympathy and prayers to you and your family. Suzann Hand Fostet"
In loving memory of
Kenneth Clarence Kenyon
June 17, 1919 - June 7, 2018
A Mass of Christian Burial for Ken will be Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Emmetsburg. Burial is in St. Mary's Cemetery, Mallard. The family will greet friends from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 12th, 2018 at the Joyce Funeral Home in Emmetsburg. There will be a Knight's of Columbus rosary at 4:00 p.m. and a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m.
Kenneth Clarence Kenyon, son of Albert Layton and Margaret (Kyne) Kenyon was born June 17, 1919 in Turin, Iowa. He was a 1936 graduate of Rodman High School.
Following his education, Ken joined the United States Army in May, 1941. During his over three and one half years of WWII service, he fought and served in five countries: Ireland,
Africa, Italy, Germany and France. He served in many battles throughout the war, and in July, 1945, Ken was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army.
After the war, Ken returned to Mallard, Iowa to farm, and on October 7, 1946, he was united in marriage to Margaret Wollner at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Emmetsburg. To this union, eight children were born. Ken and Margaret farmed near Mallard, Iowa for many years. In 1984, they moved to Palmer Street in Emmetsburg. Ken continued to farm as long as he could, and at the age of 88, he ran the combine in the 2008 fall harvest.
Ken was a member of Holy Family Catholic Parish, the Knight's of Columbus, Anderson-Eckert-Hersom Post #345 American Legion of Mallard, Palo Alto County 4-H Extension where he served as a 4-H leader for many years when his children were young. He was also a former member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mallard, IA.
On Thursday, June 7, 2018, Ken passed away at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg. He was 98.
Left to cherish his memory are his children: Mary Getman (Tim) of Cannon Falls, MN, John Kenyon (Bernie) of Mallard, IA, Jerry Kenyon (Sue) of Spencer, IA and Therese Kenyon of Apple Valley, MN; 14 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Margaret in 2005; son, Joseph Michael Kenyon and three daughters: Josephine, Margaret and Ann Marie Kenyon; two brothers: Lyle and Edward Kenyon; three sisters: Erma, Ina and Eileen.
Tributes
"Oh Kenny, this is so sad. We were neighbors for years near Mallard, and Mary, John, Jerry, and Therese were like my own brothers and sisters (I had neither of my own!). Huge hole in my heart; right next to the one Margaret left. Shirley (Duis) Petersen Ankeny, Iowa"
"Jeanette Mehan Huard Kenneth and I were cousins and WWII pen pals. I was about twelve when he entered the service and I wrote him a letter. I was pleased when he responded and that began an exchange that lasted until he returned to Iowa. I don't know what a 12 year old could say that would be interesting, but it spawned a lengthy correspondence."
"Dear Jerry and Sue-please accept our sympathies on the loss of your father. Peace to you and your families."
"Mary, My sympathies on the loss of your Dad. You and your family are in our prayers. Bob Neary"
"John and Bernie and the rest of Kenny's family. We enjoyed being neighbors to Kenny for 7 years, and were very fond of him. Our thoughts are with you at this time, may you find peace and solace in God's grace."
"I have only known Ken for a short time, I am going to miss his whistling, smile and laugh, we will all miss you at the Emmetsburg Care Center, "
"I will miss him as much as I miss my own Daddy. I loved how his face would light up whenever he saw me 'Jesse' and we would reminisce about things that he loved from his past with the true Jesse. I am glad to have been able to make him smile and laugh. For him I was 'Jesse' and that is all that mattered.
For the true Jesse I want you to know he had some very fond memories of you and loved to laugh about them.
Love always Frankie aka 'Jesse'"