WEST, Kenneth Riley 1941-2006

WEST, PERKINS, SLOAN

Posted By: Kermit Kittleson
Date: 12/2/2011 at 20:36:06

Kenneth Riley West

CEDAR FALLS — Kenneth Riley West, 64, of Cedar Falls, was called to the angels on March 20, 2006, when his battle with cancer came to an end. Kenneth lived out his last days per his wishes, at home surrounded by his closest family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Kearns, Huisman-Schumacher Chapel, 3146 Kimball Ave., Waterloo, Iowa. Kenneth’s beloved brother, Pastor Joseph West, will officiate. The family will greet relatives and friends during a visitation held from 3 until 9 p.m. Thursday at the chapel and also one hour before the services. Burial services will take place immediately following the service at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

A son of Kenneth McKenzie West and Luella Jane Perkins, Ken was born on June 26, 1941, in Elgin, S.D. He received his education in the Mason City, Iowa, schools. Ken was united in marriage to the love of his life, Charlene V. Sloan on October 25, 1969, in Glenville, Minn.

In 1976, Ken and Charlene moved their family to Parkersburg, Iowa, where they were able to own and run their own restaurant, The White Bear, for 14 years. After closing the restaurant in 1990, Ken and Charlene planted their roots in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It was here that throughout the years Ken worked as head chef for the Romania Inn, managed Casey’s Corner gas station, and worked at Community Motors until his retirement in 2004. Ken served as a member of St. Patrick’s Church, and held a prestige honor as president of the Lions Club, where he received Lion of The Year Award in 1982.

Ken was known to many by his nickname “Spike.” Ken was always able to bring a smile to the eye of any passer-by with his ability to make a joke and see the lighter side of every situation. Ken continuously gave to others with a free and loving spirit. One could always depend on Ken when they needed a laugh.

Ken’s favorite pastimes included being Charlene’s very own “Mr. Fix-It,” caring for his lawn, and being an avid sports fan. He was the Number One fan in cheering his granddaughter, Ashley, to her many victories with the Mason City Mohawks. Minnesota Vikings, Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, and Rusty Wallace (No. 2) of NASCAR were among his favorites. Ken especially loved to watch his son, Nick, race his stock car No. 2 around the track at various sites in Iowa.

Ken’s love for his family and friends will be cherished by all who had the privilege of sharing his life. He will be dearly missed and is survived in death by his loving wife, Charlene; children: Kenneth West Jr. and wife, Jeri, of Muscatine, Larry West of Cedar Falls, Nick West and wife, Cheryl, of Mason City, Charlie West and wife, Julie, of Mason City, Theresa Cheever and husband, Todd, of Mason City; grandchildren: Kenneth West III, Holly Meader and husband, James, Kelly Kenward, Ashley West, Nicole and Jennifer Cheever, Andrew, Lucas, and Jaycee West, and Zack, Brittany, and Andrew Wookey; great- grandchildren: Kaitlyn Cheever, and Alexander Kenward; mother, Luella West of West Chicago, Illinois; brothers: Bob West and wife, Fran, of Kissimee, Fla.; George West and wife, Deborah, of Bolingbrook, Ill.; Joseph West and wife Sharon of Downers Grove, Ill., Charles West and wife, Marie of La Crosse, Wis.; and Virgil West and wife, Kathy, of Mason City Iowa, Richard (Butch) West and wife, Joan, of Crystal, Minn.; and one special sister, Althea Hensel and husband, Craig, of West Chicago, Ill.; along with many loving nieces and nephews.

Ken was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth M. West, and brother James West.

Those wishing to offer an expression of sympathy, the family kindly suggests that they be directed to the Kenneth West Memorial Fund. Online memorials may be left at www.kearnsfuneralservice.com .

Kearns, Huisman-Schumacher Chapel, (319) 233-3146.

[Mason City Globe Gazette, March 22, 2006]