GARRETSON, Kenneth Leroy 1938-2009

GARRETSON, VABDER NAALD, JANSEN

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/3/2009 at 10:40:23

Kenneth Garretson, age 71 of Rock Rapids, IA died Sun., Sept. 27, 2009 at his home in Rock Rapids. Funeral service were held Wednesday September 30th at the United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids, IA with burial at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, IA.

Kenneth Garretson was born March 3, 1938 in Rock Valley, IA to John and Greta (Vander Naald) Gerritsen. He was raised in the Inwood area and graduated from Inwood High School in 1957. On April 20, 1964 he was united in marriage to Margaret “Mike” Jansen. The couple moved to Houston, TX to raise their family and Ken worked for ABC Door Company in Houston as an installer and technician.

Upon his retirement in 1999, he and Mike moved to Rock Rapids. Ken enjoyed riding his Harley Motorcycle, especially trips to Sturgis each year. He took great pride in his garage. Every tool was completely cleaned and put in its own special place. Ken was known for being able to fix anything and was truly a handy man. He was a great help to many people over the years, always there when they needed him. Ken was a talented gardener. He always had a vegetable garden that produced wonderfully each year. But most of all, Ken loved spending time with his family. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will remember him as a loving and gentle man with a wonderful sense of humor. This last Sunday, Ken died unexpectedly at his home in Rock Rapids. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend and he will be greatly missed.

Ken is survived by his wife of 45 years Margaret “Mike” Garretson; son, Verlyn (Brenda) Kooi of Edgerton, MN, and daughter, Loann (Russ) Legler of Woodstock, MN; eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren; mother, Greta Gerritsen of Inwood, IA; sister-in-law, Marcella Gerritson of Rapid City, SD; brother, Jack Gerritsen of Vancouver, WA, sister, Beverly Zoerink of Ft. Collins, CO, sister Diana (Dan) Wentworth of Flandreau, SD, sister, Kathy (Chris) Moody of Apple Valley, CA, brother, Bill (Marla) Gerritsen of Inwood, IA, brother, Mike (Jean) Gerritsen of Ankeny, IA, and sister, Coralee (Chuck) Knoblock of Larchwood, IA.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Gerritsen; and older brother Tom Gerritson.

(Jurrens Funeral Homes obituary)