Carlson, Kenneth C. 1920-2011

CARLSON, LEANDER, WILKEN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg -volunteer (email)
Date: 2/12/2011 at 20:35:42

Carlson, Kenneth C
Deceased Date: Friday, February 4, 2011
Service: Monday, February 7, 2011
Address: Associated Church
719 10th St
Hawarden, Iowa 51023
Obituary: Kenneth C. Carlson, 90, of Sioux Falls, formerly of Hawarden, Iowa, passed away Friday, February 4, 2011 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Funeral service will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, February 7 at the Associated Church in Hawarden, Iowa with Pastor Dan Lozer and Rev. Dr. Val Putnam officiating. Burial will follow at Grace Hill Cemetery in Hawarden with military rites by the Hawarden VFW and American Legion. Visitation will begin at noon Sunday, with the family present from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and a short prayer service at 3:30 p.m. at the Porter Funeral Home in Hawarden. The family prefers memorials be directed to the Calliope Village, Associated Church, or the West Sioux Educational Foundation all in Hawarden.
Kenneth was born on March 28, 1920, in Hawarden, to Charles E. and Christine E. (Leander) Carlson. He attended school in Hawarden and graduated from the Hawarden High School in 1938. At the age of 17 he began working for Council Oak grocery stores and continued working there until he was drafted into the Army Air Corps in January 1943. He served as a member of the 14th Air Force Flying Tigers in the China/Burma/India Theater. He achieved the rank of Master Sergeant and was discharged in 1946. Following his military service he returned to Hawarden and continued working for Council Oak stores in various locations.
Kenneth married Nellie (Jean) Wilken on Aug. 4, 1963. They had one daughter, Ann, in 1965.
He remained with the Council Oak stores as a manager through changes of the grocery chain ownership, and eventually bought the grocery store in Hawarden in 1977. It was Ken’s IGA until he sold it in 1987.
Ken was baptized and raised in the First Baptist Church in Hawarden. He became a member of the Associated Church in 1963, and remained a member until his death. The church played an important role in his life. He served as an elder and began ringing the bell at the time of the 1976 bicentennial. He continued as the unofficial bell ringer until November when his health prevented it. He was active in many other capacities in the church. Ken was a 60 year member of the American Legion and VFW in Hawarden.
Following his retirement, he volunteered and enjoyed working at Calliope Village in Hawarden, restoring the Carlson House, and working on various restoration projects and general upkeep at the village, and Ruth Suckow House. He also enjoyed collecting Aladdin oil lamps, traveling to visit family and sightseeing throughout the United States. Ken went to Great Britain twice, attended the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., and enjoyed several national reunions of the 14th Air Force Flying Tigers. After retirement he became a voracious reader and was seldom without a book.
In 2003, Ken and Jean moved to a Sioux Falls retirement community where he made many friends, and became involved in the Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Kenneth is survived by his wife Jean; daughter Ann (Dan) Prekker of Papillion, Nebraska; three granddaughters, Elizabeth, Eleanor and Claire; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Florence Hanson, Eleanor Raynie, Ruth Wyatt; and an infant brother Edwin.
Source: Porter Funeral Homes, Hawarden, IA., obit.