Edwards, Kenneth Richard (Dick)

EDWARDS, RENSHAW, ALLEN, RAVELING, LEE, JOHNSON, DOWNEY

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/23/2017 at 11:25:05

Kenneth Richard Edwards
April 26, 1925 - February 25, 2017

Kenneth Richard (Dick) Edwards, age 91, of Storm Lake, Iowa, and formerly of Alta, passed away on February 25, 2017, at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake where he resided.

Dick, a son of Russell and Helen (Renshaw) Edwards, was born on April 26, 1925, in Storm Lake, Iowa. He grew up on a farm near Storm Lake and attended Storm Lake High, graduating in 1943.

On July 23, 1943, he was drafted into the United States Navy. Trained as an Aviation Electrician, he served in Hawaii and San Diego, California, during World War II. He was, honorably, discharged on April 4, 1946.

Dick attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake and Iowa State University at Ames, Iowa, in 1946 to study electrical engineering. He, also, served as a volunteer fireman for the Storm Lake Fire Department during this time.

In 1948, Dick married Celesta Allen of Storm Lake, and this union was blessed with four children: Carol, Bruce, Janet, and Joan. Following their wedding, they moved to a farm northwest of Storm Lake where he farmed until he retired in 1987.

Once a faithful member of the Storm Lake United Methodist Church, Dick, later, transferred to the Alta United Methodist Church where he served on several committees. Dick valued both church and family. At one time, he had, also, belonged to the Truesdale Farmer’s Club.

Throughout his lifetime, Dick enjoyed the outdoors. He liked fishing, camping, and gardening. When he not outdoors, he would be playing cards, doing jigsaw puzzles, collecting stamps and coins, square dancing, and spending time with his family.

On September 6, 2008, Dick married Arlene Raveling. They enjoyed traveling and spending the winter months in Apache Junction, Arizona, where they made new enduring friendships. Dick, really, enjoyed his many friends and family.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children: Carol (Doug) Lee, of Knoxville, Tennessee, Bruce (Diane) Edwards, of Alta, Iowa, Janet (Jon) Johnson, of Petersburg, Minnesota, and Joan (Ed) Downey, of West Des Moines, Iowa; thirteen grandchildren: Richard (Patty), Kirsten (Chris), Kerry (Susan), Kurt (Leah), Kris (Rachel), Kyle (Sheila), Jenny (Neil), Jason, Jasmond (Taia), Christine (Brandon), Katie, Anna, and Elizabeth; nineteen great grandchildren: Coraline, Sabastian, Matthew, Miles, Adley, Hannah, Heidi, Hope, Liam, Cameron, Griffin, Audrey, Marissa, Trenton, Alex, Amelia, Emma, Coulton, and Isabel; and his sister-in-law, Viola Allen, of Aurelia, Iowa; as well as other extended family members and many friends.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Celesta (Allen) Edwards; his second wife, Arlene (Raveling) Edwards; and a grandson, Stephen Downey.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 28, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Alta. Burial will follow in the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. Visitation will take place for one hour before the service at the church. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake is overseeing the arrangements. Memorials may be given in Dick’s name to the Alta United Methodist Church.

Sliefert Funeral Homes, 2017

Buena Vista Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
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