"Most of my memories of Kenny involved horses. I am truly blessed to have known him, and look forward to driving horses with him again in heaven."
In loving memory of
Kenneth Greiman
November 11, 1915 - June 6, 2009
GARNER - Kenneth M. Greiman, 93, of Garner went home to be with the Lord, Saturday (June 6, 2009) at the Concord Care Center in Garner.
Funeral services will be held 2 P.M., Thursday at Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church in Garner with Rev. Jon Rollefson officiating. Burial will be in Concord Township Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Wednesday at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.
Kenneth Mitchell Greiman, the son of Fred and Caroline (Wille) Greiman, was born November 11, 1915 on a farm south of Garner. He attended country school near his home and graduated from Garner High School in 1933. On August 13, 1939, he married Evelyn Jante at St. John's Lutheran Church east of Garner. They farmed south of Garner until 1941 when they moved to a farm northeast of Garner. Besides farming, Kenny was actively engaged in raising angus cattle and horses. He had a passion for horses and worked with them all his life. He participated in the by invitation only Britt Draft Horse Show every year since inception and many other shows and parades including the forty horse hitch in the Milwaukee Circus Parade over the years. He was honored to be inducted into the Iowa Draft Horse Hall of Fame.
Kenny served on the school board, creamery board and the St. Paul Lutheran Church board and building committee. He was a member of the Saddle Club, North Garner Community Club and was a 4-H leader.
Kenny is survived by his wife, Evelyn, of Garner; three sons, Daniel (Nancy) Greiman of Brookings, OR, Keith (Connie) Greiman of Edina, MN and Kevin (Paula) Greiman of Arvada, CO; seven grandchildren, Brian (Dalene) Greiman, Andrew (Jennifer) Greiman, Carisa (Brian) Valentine, Justin (Melissa) Greiman, Kayle (Rebekah) Greiman, Travis Greiman and Kaylan Greiman; eight great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; a sister-in-law, Vivian Greiman of Goodell; and many nieces and nephews. Kenny thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Duane in 1966; and brothers, Burtis and Wayne Greiman.
Tributes
"I will always remember Kenny as a gregarious, fast-talking, horse-lover. He was a bigger than life character and an inspiration to those that knew him and Evelyn. He was a great guy. Gene Greiman"
"Kenny was my real life John Wayne. I worked for him and with him while in junior high and high school. Some of my most precious memories are working on the farm with Kenny, his Angus cattle and the horses. He was forever patient and forgiving. He gave me the love for good horses and Angus cattle. He was my role model and like a second father to me. I am a better person for having known and worked with Kenny. Today is a sad day for me and anyone else who really knew Kenny. Brian Hamrick "
"Kenny was always a friend and supporter. I remember Kenny as being a part of life always. He greeted all with a big smile, a warm handshake and hug. I feel honored to have been a part of his earthly life and look forward to driving horses together in Heaven."
"Today the world lost, while heaven gained, much spice and spirit. A man much larger than life. Many years well lived. Wherever Kenny was, his presence filled the environment. I am honored to have had the opportunity to share a part of my life with Kenny. Who else had the â??giftâ? for whomever he met, to show us that we are each and every, a special gift from God, in the way that he did? Those of us who are privileged to have experienced this once in a lifetime are very fortunate indeed. Kenny needed no words to make this happen. Kenny always gave the most comfortable warmth to each person in his presence. I do not for a second believe that he did this as a learned task. It was a natural way of life for him. Janel Greiman "