Appelgate, Kenneth Phillip (1923-2014)

APPELGATE, MCAFEE, OLTHOFF, KRAUSE, MUSELMAN, PRATT

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:00

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, November 19, 2014/Boeke Funeral Home website

Kenneth Phillip Appelgate, 94, went to be with the Lord on November 16, 2014. He was born March 22, 1920 on the family farm in Alburnett, Linn County, Iowa, the son of Hiram (Harry) and Mary Helen (McAfee) Appelgate. The family moved to Toledo, IA in 1923 and he graduated from Toledo High School where he participated in football and drove to school in his prized Model T car. In April 1942, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps attending Texas A&M specializing in radio, electrical, and radar communications. He was then assigned to the Marine Fighter Squadron 216 at El Centro, CA. He spent 19 months in the South Pacific theater serving in Hawaii, New Hebrides, Guam, and was aboard the USS Wasp at the battle of Iwo Jima. On discharge in November, 1945, he had attained the rank of Master Tech Sergeant.
After proudly serving in the Marine Corps, he returned to Ellsworth, IA, where met the love of his life, Dorothy Olthoff, and married on November 27, 1946. They lived on a farm near Radcliffe, IA for 38 years and retired to a home on Little Wall Lake near Jewell in 1986. In 2006, they moved to Story City, IA.
Ken was an active volunteer in his church and community. He was a member of the Radcliffe United Methodist Church and Kamrar Presbyterian Church, serving as a Deacon and Elder for many years. He served on A.S.C.S. agency township board for twenty years, Hardin County Board of Health for ten years, and Radcliffe Co-op Elevator board for six years serving as president and chairman of these boards for many years. He was a member of the Radcliffe American Legion Post #317 for 70 years holding several office positions over 15 years. He was an active member of Kiwanis for 24 years proudly serving as President and District Lt. Governor. Ken loved his life as a farmer as well as his hobbies of woodworking and carpentry, especially building Grandfather clocks for all of his grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing and was a devoted football fan. He lived life to the fullest, always enjoying celebrations and being with his many friends and family.
He is survived by his daughters, Rosalyn “Lyn” Krause of Castle Rock, CO and Rebecca “Becky” (Tom) Muselman of Urbandale, IA; brothers Max Appelgate of Tacoma, WA, and Richard Appelgate of Littleton, CO; grandsons Trent (Christy) Krause of Castle Rock, CO, Jeff Muselman of West Des Moines, and Jason Muselman of Des Moines; granddaughter Robyn (Bruce) Pratt of Flower Mound, TX; six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 66 years, Dorothy; and brothers Harold Appelgate and William Appelgate.