"Last Saturday morning, God gained a loyal and loving angel. My Uncle Kenny was 100% devoted to his family, including his firefighting family. All my life I knew that his heart was as big as all outdoors and made of pure gold. I loved hearing that laugh at all those Sunday and Holiday dinners around my grandma's table! As a child I thought he was a giant, bigger than life. As an adult I knew he was a giant, with a love that was bigger than life. I will miss knowing that he's here. I'm so sad for Carla, Carolyn, and Karen who lost their dad, so sad for the grandchildren, and heartbroken for Auntie Vi that the love of her life is no longer by her side. At the same time I rejoice that he's walking on streets of gold with loved ones that have gone before him. Rest well, Uncle Kenny. You earned it!"
In loving memory of
Kenneth Eugene Beenblossom
July 18, 1929 - July 22, 2017
Kenneth Eugene Beenblossom, 88, of West Burlington, died 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 22, 2017 at Blair House Care and Rehabilitation.
Born on July 18, 1929 in Washington, IA, he was the son of D. Glenn and Blanche (Woodburn) Beenblossom. He married Viola "Vi" Hering on October 30, 1949 in Crawfordsville, Iowa.
Kenneth began his work career by driving a truck for his brother; he then drove for Benner Tea Company from 1954-1968. From 1968-1984 he served as superintendent of buildings and grounds for the West Burlington School District. He then worked as a self-employed HVAC contractor from 1984 until his retirement in 1999.
He was a member of West Burlington United Methodist Church. He served with the West Burlington Fire Department for 33 ½ years, six of which as Chief and 14 as a training officer. He was a member of the board of directors for the Iowa Society of Fire Service Instructors, serving as president for four years, the Iowa Fire Chief's Association, the Iowa Firefighters Association, the Iowa Association of Arson Investigators He was a past member of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors and the International Fire Chief's Association.
He was Instructor Emeritus for the Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau. He served on the Fire Service Advisory committee, the Joint Council of Fire Service Organizations and the Firefighter Training Fund committee. In addition, he served on several curriculum committees and was a certification evaluator for the Fire Safety Training Board. He was the first person in Iowa to be certified as a Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator. He attended several classes at the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg, MD, and developed two classes on basic fire training and emergency vehicle driving. He taught first aid and CPR for the American Red Cross.
He received the Governor's award for Community Service in 1994 and received the Roger Mooty award for dedication to education and training in the fire service from the Iowa Fire Chief's Association in 1998.
He is survived by his wife Viola "Vi" Beenblossom of West Burlington; three daughters, Karen (Mike) Bree of Cody, WY, Carolyn Lees of West Burlington and Carla (Eric) Schweizer of Burlington; five grandchildren, Matthew (Anissa) Bree of Cody, WY, Shanara Gabrielle (Alec Wild) of Washington D.C., Katrina (Kyle) Hampel of Lee's Summit, MO, Kevin (Jill Burtlow) Lees of Mt. Pleasant and Shanti (Matt) Grossman of Austin, TX; eight great grandchildren, Skylah and Gabriel Bree of Cody, WY, Emery and Ella Bree of Sheraton, WY, Serenity Lees of Mt. Pleasant, Lydia Hampel of Lee's Summit, MO, and Moser Grossman and Calla Grossman of Austin, TX; three step grandchildren, Tessa Wild, Jack Wild and Riley Wild; foreign exchange student, Louise Cummings of Maryland; sister-in-law, Betty Beenblossom of Washington, IA and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, Michael Bree II and three brothers, Richard, Lewis and Lloyd.
The funeral service for Mr. Beenblossom will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 27th at Lunning Chapel. Pastor Elizabeth Bell will officiate. Interment will be in Burlington Memorial Park Cemetery. The Southeast Iowa Regional Fire Honor Guard will provide funeral detail. The family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26th at Lunning Chapel.
Memorials have been established for the West Burlington Fire Department and for the Iowa Fire Service Memorial in Coralville, Iowa.
Tributes
"Uncle Kenny was a large presence when I was a child. There are so many wonderful memories. I think the biggest thing would be all the family Sunday dinners and every holiday around my grandma's dining room table. We always had so much fun! He was a gentle man, a kind man, a giving man. My mom used him as inspiration for me to make good decisions. "What would Uncle Kenny think about that?" was always in the back of my mind. I loved him. I admired him. I will never forget him. Connie Kinsinger, Leesville, LA"
"Carla, I remember how close you were to you Dad. He led such an exemplar life, and did so much for you to be proud of. Please accept our condolences and know you and your family are in our thoughts at this sorrowful time. Rest in peace Kenny. Rex and Donna Mundt"
"Such fond memories of Kenny dropping everything (usually at mealtime) and running through the house when the fire bell rang. My condolences to the family, you are in my thoughts and prayers."
"Kenny has been an asset to all of southeast Iowa and firefighters in the entire area. His boots will be hard to fill!"
"You have to do something in your life that is honorable and not cowardly if you are to live in peace with yourself, and for the firefighter it is fire. Kenny Beenblossom, you did your firefighter duties, you will always be remembered by those who fought beside you, and the many people that knew you."