Bohlke, Kenneth Peter 1931-2005

BOHLKE, MUELLER

Posted By: Lin Ziemann (email)
Date: 4/18/2005 at 13:35:33

Kenneth Peter Bohlke, 73, died Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, of cancer.

Ken was born June 23, 1931, in Le Mars, the son of Joseph and Mary Mueller Bohlke. He married Kathleen Golden on Jan. 28, 1952, in Le Mars. He attended Morningside College in Sioux City on a football scholarship, playing under the legendary coach, George Allen. He received his BA degree in business in 1957. From 1950 to 1954 Ken served in the U.S. Navy as a forward gunner on the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. He also playing on the Navy's Hellcat football team.

Ken worked for Hormel for 35 years until his retirement in 1988. He operated the Bohlke Drive-In (aka the Butt Hutt) in Dayton from 1971 to 1975.

He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Dayton.

Ken enjoyed his acreage in Dayton. He was a legendary gardener, loved Hydrox cookies, Wells' Blue Bunny Ice Cream and eating at Archies in Le Mars. He enjoyed listening to Johnny Cash and A Prairie Home Companion and he played a mean hand of poker.

He is survived by his daughter, Mary Bohlke of Story City, son, Daniel Bohlke and his wife Roxanne of Iowa City, daughters, Jeanne Bohlke of Lyons, Colo., and Elizabeth Golden of Golden, Colo., sons Robert Bohlke and his wife, Sarah of Roland, and David Bohlke of Brooklyn, N.Y. and his friend Dong Un Kim; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Joyce Cooper, three brothers, Wayne Bohlke and his wife Donna, Dr. Glenn Bohlke and his wife Tanya, and David Bohlke and his wife Laura; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen; a brother-in-law, Donald (Coop) Cooper; and his parents, Joseph and Mary.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Monday at Christ the King Catholic Church in Dayton. Burial was in Christ the King Cemetery at Dayton. Visitation was from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Carson Funeral Home in Dayton with a Christian vigil service at 7 p.m.