Stephens, Kenneth R. (1926-2017)

STEPHENS, JENKINS, ENDERLIN, TINGLEY

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/18/2021 at 17:36:24

Kenneth R. Stephens
September 1, 1926 - September 28, 2017

Kenneth R. Stephens, age 91, of Grimes, Iowa, formerly of Storm Lake, Iowa, died on Thursday, September 28, 2017, at his home.

Kenneth Ritner Stephens, a son of Byron and Ruth (Jenkins) Stephens, was born on September 1, 1926, in Ipswich, South Dakota. He attended school in Wall Lake, graduating from Wall Lake High School in 1944. Then, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in August 1944. He, proudly, served his country as an aircraft mechanic in Italy. Honorably discharged in February 1947, he married Myrtle Geake on July 6, 1950. Subsequently, they were blessed with three children: Gwen, Bill, and Craig.

Kenneth began his working life as a farmer. In the late 1950s, he moved to Storm Lake and transitioned to a role in financing agriculture with the Production Credit Association, but he later joined Citizens 1st National Bank. Also, a real estate broker, he owned his own agency in Storm Lake as well.

A member of the greatest generation, he felt proud of his service to his country. In addition, as a community leader, he served on the city council and as mayor of Storm Lake as well as Exalted Ruler of the Elks Club, Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge, and Worthy Patron of the Eastern Star. Leading by example, he instilled in his children and grandchildren the keen sense of values necessary for financial success and the faith and compassion needed for happiness.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Myrt Stephens, of Grimes, Iowa; his children: Gwen (Marshall) Enderlin, of Norwalk, Iowa, Bill (Tana) Stephens, of Prosper, Texas, and Craig (Debbie) Stephens, of Minnetonka; Minnesota; his grandchildren: Heather (Luke) Tingley, of Urbandale, Iowa, Aaron (Anne) Enderlin, of Polk City, Iowa, Blair Stephens, of Prosper, Texas, Amanda Stephens, of Ithaca, New York, and Leslie Stephens, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; his great grandchildren: Noah and Evan Tingley and Kai and Bryn Enderlin; and his sister in-law, Eloise Stephens, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado; as well as extended family members and friends. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings: Norton, Richard, Miriam, and Jeanette.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 3, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. Visitation will take place for one hour before the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the Wall Lake Cemetery with full military rites. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is overseeing the arrangements.

Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Homes, Storm Lake, Iowa, 2017.

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