Kenneth Wayne "Ken" BURRIGHT

BURRIGHT, MCKINLAY, DANISH, DAVIS, SHIELDS, HITTNER, KING

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 7/31/2010 at 23:45:09

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
October, 1989

OBITUARY - KENNETH WAYNE "KEN" BURRIGHT

Kenneth Wayne BURRIGHT, eldest son of John B. and Gertrude J. McKINLAY BURRIGHT, was born April 10, 1918, at Rock Rapids, Iowa, and died Ocober 13, 1989, in the RAMSEY Home in Des Moines, Iowa, where he had resided since August 29 of this [1989] year.

Ken grew to manhood and attended schools at Rock Rapids. In 1941 he moved to Geneva, Illinois to work and on March 31, 1942, was married to Lola M. DANISH, also of Rock Rapids. To this marriage were born three daughters, Kathy Jean, Kerry Leigh and Janine Marie. While living in Illinois he worked as a foundryman until 1943 when he entered the armed services, serving in the United States Army in England, France and Germany as chief clerk with the U.S. Group Control Council.

Upon his discharge in 1946, Ken returned to Rock Rapids and engaged in farming until 1956 when he went to work for the Iowa Farm Bureau as a fieldman in Taylor County, Iowa. He served as a petroleum salesman for Farm Service during this time. Later Ken went into business for himself as owner and operator of The Sandwich Shop in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Following this, he took up the construction profession, in which he was employed for 15 years prior to moving to Des Moines, Iowa, in 1980 to assume the duties of maintenance man at RAMSEY Home where he served for six and one-half years prior to his retirement in early 1987.

Upon moving to Des Moines, Ken shared his life with Ann DAVIS. They enjoyed traveling in their motor home to many parts of the United States but more especially long weekends at Iowa's beautiful state parks. They also enjoyed visiting their families.

As a youth, Ken accepted Christ as his Saviour and remained a devoted churchman all of his life. He loved singing and sang in every church choir of every congregation in which he was ever a member, even directing the choir in several churches. Ken was a charter membr of the Ringgold Singers of Mount Ayr and sang with the group for 13 years. On moving to Des Moines, Ken joined the Des Moines chapter of barbershop singing, "The Desmoinaires", of which he was a member for over eight years.

He was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Lola, and his parents.

Suvivors include Kathy, Ed, Erika and Emily SHIELDS of Mount Ayr, Iowa; Kerry, Steve, Jordan, Luke and Will HITTNER of Omaha, Nebraska; and Janine and Randy KING and Brien of Merriam, Kansas; also, his companion, Ann DAVIS, and her children, Brien, Bonnie and Betsey and their families; four brothers; two sisters; many nieces and nephws and a hot of friends.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, October 17, 1989, at the Glen Echo Christian Church in Des Moines, Iowa. Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemtery in Mount Ayr, Iowa.

"With Love For Kenneth"
When one person's life touches another person's life, it is a beautiful connection they have created, especially when the life which touches is one like yours.

Your very existence is a treasure to me, for you have touched my life so many times. Knowing you has made my own existence richer and stronger.

You made me fell special when I felt most unloveable. You brought music and color to my life when there was only silence and darkness.

My world has more value, because you have touched it with your gentle smile and caring hands. Your eyes so loving accepted even the most evident flaws.

My life would never be what it is today if you had not touched it -- if you had not loved me. I can never repay your fully for all you've given to me, except to give someone else your treasured gift.

I can repay you best, I beleive, by touching hands to hands and my life to another. The gift is the giving -- the giving is the gift.

-- by Erin Gae CROUCH, his niece, July 8, 1989.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2010