Meyer, Kenneth Vincent -- 1931 - 2012
MEYER, WANGSNESS, SENHOLZ, BILLINGS, MILLS, ROUSE
Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 6/8/2012 at 20:49:28
Kenneth Meyer, age 80, of Decorah, IA, died on Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 5, 2012, at the Calmar Lutheran Church, with Rev. Phil Olson presiding. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Castalia, IA.
Friends may call after 10:00 a.m., on Saturday at the church. The Schluter – Balik Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be given in memory of Kenneth Meyer to the Patty Elwood Center, 21668 – 80th Street, Cresco, IA 52136.
Kenneth Vincent Meyer was born June 25, 1931, in Postville, IA, the son of Marie (Wangsness) Meyer and Valder Chris Meyer. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia, IA. Kenneth grew up on his family’s farm northeast of Castalia, a Century farm purchased in 1891 by his grandfather, Henry Leopold Meyer, and grandmother, Elizabeth Marie Dorthea (Senholz) Meyer. Kenneth’s boyhood days were spent in a household shared by his parents and grandparents. Primary education for Kenneth began at Castalia Public School and culminated with graduation from Ossian Public High School. In June 1953 Kenneth was drafted into the Army. After initial training he served with the U.S. Eighth Army in Korea until March 1955. He was proud of his military service and later became a lifetime member of The American Legion. Following discharge from the Army, Kenneth continued his education at Waldorf College in Forest City, IA, and completed a BA in Business Administration from Upper Iowa College in Fayette, IA. Kenneth spent most of his working years employed by United Fire and Casualty Insurance Company, headquartered in Cedar Rapids, IA. He served as a claims representative for sections of NE Iowa and retired in 1997 after 35 years of service. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Henry Leopold, Kenneth maintained an active interest in civic affairs. He served as a member of the Calmar City Counsel and South Winneshiek School Board, including the position of President of the Board. Kenneth had a great respect for his German/Norwegian heritage, becoming the keeper of family photos and other mementos. His interest included years of membership and participation in the Bloomfield Township Historical Society. Kenneth enjoyed collecting vintage clocks. Much of his spare time was spent at his hobby farm on Centennial Road where he maintained a collection of antique Case and Massey-Harris tractors. He was an active participant in Castalia Tractor Days.
Kenneth is survived by his wife of 50 years, Nancy (Billings) Meyer of Decorah; their son, Jeffrey Scott Meyer of Omaha, NE; daughter Elizabeth Marie Mills and husband, Curt, of Glendale, AZ; and Anne Martha Meyer of Decorah. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Alexander Kenneth Mills and Olivia Elizabeth Mills of Glendale, AZ; Sophia Sadie Rouse, Fiona Ana Rouse, and Isabella Lillian Rouse of Decorah; a brother, Kelly Meyer and wife, A.J., of Independence, IA.; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Marie and Valder Meyer, and his older brother, Nanferd.
Source: Schluter – Balik Funeral Home database
Pleasant View Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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