McKone, Nehl James 1920-2009

MCKONE, NEHL, WESSELS, HALSTVEDT, ORIANI

Posted By: Jill McCarville (email)
Date: 7/30/2013 at 15:40:09

Nehl McKone,89

NORTHFIELD,MN- Funeral services for Nehl J. McKone of Northfield, MN were held on Monday, June 22, 2009 at Notre Dame Parish in Cresco, Ia. Interment was in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco.

Visitation was from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday at the Conway Funeral Home in Cresco and one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

Conway Funeral Home in Cresco handled the arrangements.

Nehl, 89, died Thursday, June 18, 2009 at the Northfield Care Center in Northfield.

Nehl James McKone was born March 12, 1920 at New Hampton, IA, the son of Dr. James and Justina (Nehl) McKone.

He grew up in New Hampton and graduated from New Hampton High School in 1938 and continued his education at the University of Iowa until enlisting in the Coast Guard in January of 1943. Nehl spent 32 months in the service including two years in the Mediterranean aboard an LST. His unit was involved in three major invasions, Salerno, Angio and the Normandy D-Day invasion.Nehl returned to the University of Iowa and graduated with a B.A. degree in January of 1947. After graduation, Nehl moved to Cresco, IA and engaged in the general insurance business forming a partnership with J.E. O'Donnell, called the Cresco Insurance Agency. Nehl ran this business for 38 years until his retirement in 1985.

Nehl married Cecelia A. Wessels in New Hampton, Iowa on November 17, 1947. Nehl and Cec moved to Cresco where they spent their life. They have five children.

Nehl was very involved in many community affairs. He was chairman of the local March of Dimes Chapter, member of the Cresco Chamber of Commerce, founding board member of the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, on the Cresco Union Savings Bank board, a board member of the Evans Memorial Home, president of the Alert Manor Board, Commander of the Cresco Post #135 American Legion, and member of the Cresco Country Club. He enjoyed family activities,golf,fishing and hunting.

He is survived by his wife Cecelia; his five children: Jim (and his children Ryan and Katie), Tom (his wife Virginia, and children Justin and Stephen), Mark, Mary (her husband, John Halstvedt and twin sons Scott and Kyle), John (his wife, Amy Oriani and children, Christopher and Ben).

Nehl was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: James and William; and sister: Mary

Times Plain Dealer June 24, 2009 Page 12A
Transcribed by Jill McCarville from the files of Janice Sowers