Kenneth L. "Ken" UBBEN

UBBEN, GAMBLE, MARZEN, OLSEN, ZIMMERMAN, HILDRETH, TREIBER, HEIER, POTTS, OEHLERT

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/19/2011 at 07:15:40

Obituary - Kenneth L. "Ken" Ubben

Kenneth L. UBBEN, 71, Chapin, Iowa, died January 10, 2011 at Desert Palm Regional Hospital in Palm Springs, CA following a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral mass will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 22 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rockwell with Rev. James DUBERT presiding. Visitation will be held 4-7 p.m., Friday at Retz Funeral Home, Sheffield with a scripture wake service at 7:00 p.m.

Ken was born July 1, 1939 in Geneva, Iowa to Martin and Olive (GAMBLE) UBBEN. He attended school in Sheffield, Iowa. Ken was married to Charlene MARZEN on June 25, 1960 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Dougherty. To this union four children were born, Alan Lee, Lisa Ann, Mark Louis and Paula Jo.

Ken later married Connie OLSEN on December 29, 1979 in Chicago, Illinois. To this union one child was born, Carrie Lea.

Ken was first employed by Sheffield Brick and Tile where he worked for 25 years until the plant closed. Ken then started his own business, Ken's Electric & Repair, where he continued to work until his health declined. Ken also worked with Gene Smit and Kim White installing furnaces and air conditioning units. Ken had many skills and tried to help anyone who needed assistance.

At the age of 16, Ken and his childhood friend, Larry ZIMMERMAN of Sheffield, started a band called, "Kenny UBBEN and the Roustabouts." Ken was lead singer and played lead guitar, Larry played rhythm guitar and later switched to steel guitar. "Kenny UBBEN and the Roustabouts" was known for decades as the best country-western band that played in North Iowa. Larry is still entertaining and carries on the name, "The Roustabouts." Ken loved life, music, fishing and camping.

For many years, Ken and Connie enjoyed relaxing in their camper along the Shell Rock River in Rock Falls, Iowa. He enjoyed playing cards and being with his family and friends. Ken will be missed by all that knew him.

Ken is survived by his wife, Connie, Chapin; daughter: Lisa Ann (Eric) HILDRETH, Olivia, MN and their children Grant and Molly; son: Mark Louis UBBEN, Greene and his children Paul, Diane, Jayne and Logan; daughter: Paula Jo (Tom) TREIBER, Eden Prairie, MN; daughter: Tonya (Michael) HEIER, Humboldt and their children Abbie, Ellen and Jacob; daughter: Carrie (Chad) POTTS, Klemme and their son: Cameron; Lance, Nicole and Amy, children of his late son Alan UBBEN and great-grandchildren: Alan and Brayden.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Olive UBBEN, brother Martin Jr. "Bud" UBBEN, sister Ilene OEHLERT and a son, Alan UBBEN.

Retz Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2011

Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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