"May the grace and blessings of the Lord be with all of the Mathis family. I'm so sorry to hear of your dad's passing."
In loving memory of
Kenneth E. Mathis
September 16, 1923 - May 11, 2019
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Shenandoah. Burial with military honors will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will greet friends at the church prior to services from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Memorials may be directed to the Shenandoah American Legion Post 88.
Kenneth Earl Mathis, son of Jess and Angela (Whitmore) Mathis, was born on September 16, 1923 in Clarks, Nebraska. He passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at the Windsor Manor Assisted Living Community in Shenandoah at the age of 95.
He grew up in the Farragut area and graduated from Farragut High School in 1941. He entered the U.S. Army on March 16, 1943 in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was honorably discharged on February 8, 1946. After his service in the Armed Forces during World War II he started working at Cooper Furniture when he met his future wife, Lucille Swanson. They were married on May 18, 1947 at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Shenandoah, Iowa. The couple was blessed with 63 years of marriage and four sons Greg, Kirk, Tim and Jeff.
Kenneth was actively involved in farming and farm organizations, Farm Bureau, Masonic Lodge, American Legion, Color Guard and served on the School Board. He had a love of the land and has instilled this in his sons and now grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Shenandoah.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife Lucille, parents and four brothers Ernie, Harold "Sandy", Howard and Don Mathis.
Those left to honor his memory include his sons Greg Mathis and wife Francoise of Council Bluffs, IA, Kirk Mathis and wife Karen of West Burlington, IA, Tim Mathis of Shenandoah, IA and Jeff Mathis and wife Margie of Marshalltown, IA; six grandchildren Ben Mathis and wife Dawn of Papillion, NE, T.J. Mathis and wife Jill of Danville, IA, Jeremy Mathis and wife Leonela of Guayaquil, Ecuador, Joel Mathis and wife Becky of Libertyville, IL, Jessica Reicks and husband Jon of Poulsbo, WA and Elli Roberts and husband Caleb of Olathe, KS; six great-grandchildren Wesley and Ashton Reicks, Sebastian Mathis, Lucy Mathis, Logan Mathis and Gracelyn Roberts; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Tributes
"Our condolences to the Mathis family. In our early days in Shenandoah, we all belonged to the Pairs and Squares square dance club. We enjoyed dancing with them for several years and always remember them as happy, laughing and having fun. We also enjoyed their children when we taught in the Shenandoah schools. And, one dark night many years later, my daughter and I were stranded in a broken-down car not far from the Mathis house. I knocked on their door and Kenny drove us into Shenandoah where I had another car. That is an event we will never forget. Our sympathies."
"Mathis family ~ All of my memories of Kenny are joyous. He was the type of person that could light up a room by simply walking through the door ??. Aunt Lucile has reunited with Uncle Kenny with our Father in Heaven. Thinking of all of you in this difficult time."
"Kirk and Karen- So sorry to hear of your dad's passing. He was such a nice man. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family."
"Tim & Jeff and families...So sorry to hear about Kenny. What a gentleman. My sympathies to all of you. "
"Kirk, Karen and family, I was sad to see of your dad's passing. Such a nice man. Your parents were probably one of the nicest parents in our MYF group. We will have all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Peggy and John Manrose "
"My thoughts and prayers are with the family. He was a very pleasant person and his late wife was,too. May God grant you Peace and Comfort."
"My condolences and prayers to the family, May God provide you with peace and strength during this difficult time. Psalms 29:11"