Wallace, Kenneth - 1906-2004

WALLACE, REIMERS, MARSH

Posted By: Linda Vander Linden-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/11/2011 at 11:29:23

Northwest Iowa Review March 30, 2004

Rock Rapids - Kenneth Marsh Wallace, 97, Rock Rapids, died Wednesday, March 24 at Rock Rapids Health Centre.

Services were Tuesday, March 30, at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Rock Rapids, with the Rev. Lynne Bisson officiating. Burial was at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, under the direction of Roste Funeral Home in Rock Rapids.

Kenneth Wallace, son of Burton & Julia (Marsh) Wallace, was born April 1, 1906, in Ambridge, PA. He resided in Ames after his father, a civil engineer, was killed during the construction of a power dam in Montana.

He attended grade school, high school and college in Ames, obtaining a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Iowa State College in 1931.

He worked for the Engineering Experiment Station in Ames, the U.S. Engineers in Rock Island, IL., Massman Construction Company in Kansas City, MO, and then was Lyon County engineer for 36 years, retiring Dec. 31, 1981, at the age of 76. After retirement he continued to do private engineering services for another 10 years.

He married Elva Reimers on June 22, 1934 in Rock Rapids. For the next 11 years they moved 12 times throughout six Midwestern states, including, Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee and Indiana, where he was employed as a civil engineer on government construction projects for locks, dams, bridges, factories and ships, before moving to Rock Rapids in 1945. They made their home on South Carroll Street in the house he designed and built, until being one of the first couples to be residents at Premier Estates in Rock Rapids. Mrs. Wallace died March 1, 2001.

He was a member of the Congregational Church of Christ, Northwest Iowa Engineering Society, Lyon County Historical Society and the Golden Age Club.

His hobbies including gardening, reading and exercising. He enjoyed cooking candies and desserts. He was a known student of world history, religion and personal enrichment.

At age 96, he organized and led a weekly study group on the Power of Positive Thinking at Premier Estates. He loved to tell stories about his childhood and experiences from life. These stories were rich and enjoyed by many for many years. He not only left his mark on the land and rivers, but on the people who surrounded him as well.

Survivors include two daughters, Audrey & Dick Putney of Estes Park, CO, and Margo & Bob Conrad of Aguanga, CA and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Elva Wallace, and a brother, Robert Wallace.

Memorials may be directed to the Congregational United Church of Christ in Rock Rapids.