Kenkel, Norman Vincent (1936 - 2023)

KENKEL, JACOBSEN, GERDTS, HILDRETH, CAMPBELL, KATZER

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 11/12/2023 at 17:49:46

Name of deceased: Norman Vincent Kenkel

Aged: 87 years, 4 mo, 15 days

Residence: Elm Crest Assisted Living, Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Born: June 25, 1936; Earling, Shelby County, IA

Died: Nov. 9, 2023; Elm Crest Assisted Living, Harlan, Shelby County, IA

Funeral services: Friday, Nov. 17, 2023; St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Earling, IA; burial was in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Earling, IA

Survived by: Wife of 65 years, Joyce, of Earling, IA; children, Kevin (spouse, Colleen), Craig, Cindy Gerdts, Karen (spouse, CJ) Hildreth, Phil (spouse, Cindy), Doug (spouse, Dina), Lyle (spouse, Kay), Lynn, Jill (spouse, Mark) Campbell, and Troy (spouse, Heather); 18 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Hubert and Emma (nee Katzer) Kenkel

Education: Graduated from Saint Joseph’s Catholic School, Earling, IA, with the Class of 1954

Religious affiliation: Catholic

Military service: Served in the U. S. Army in Korea

Marriage: Joyce Jacobsen; Feb.17, 1958; location not provided

Employment: A life-long farmer, with his father, they worked together to tend the farms each owned. Norman was an early adopter of land conservation practices; within a few years, he focused on the production of hogs, soybeans and corn. Even though he retired in 2008, he continued to assist and advise his oldest son, Kevin, as the next farmer in this multi-generational Iowa farm family, including into the 2023 harvest season.

Hobbies/Interests: Enjoyed socializing with family and friends, whether that was traveling to visit the cousins in CO, having cookouts and pitching horseshoes with the neighboring Bruck family, playing cards, hosting holiday get-togethers and family reunions, attending church picnics, playing the slot machines at a casino, or taking a Sunday afternoon drive through the countryside.

Sources: kjan.com; pauleyjones.com