Kenneth R. ASKELSEN

ASKELSEN, KVALE, JOHNSON, KNUTSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/30/2006 at 12:50:53

Kenneth R. Askelsen, 81, of Clarion, died Monday, November 21, 2005, at the USA Healthcare in Clarion. A Masonic Service was held on Friday, November 25th at 7:00 p.m., at the Foust Funeral Home, Eagle Grove. There were private family services held on Saturday, November 26.

Kenneth R. Askelsen was born May 1, 1924, in Eagle Grove Township, the son of Oscar and Anna J. (Kvale) Askelsen. He was raised and educated in the area of his birth, graduating from the Eagle Grove High School in 1941. In 1942 and 1943, he received his Iowa Farmer and American Farmer Degrees. Kenneth served in the United States Navy from February 1944 to May 1946, and following his Honorable Discharge, attended the Eagle Grove Junior College and graduated from Iowa State University in 1951 with a degree in Agricultural Education. On November 25, 1948, Kenneth was united in marriage with Evelyn Johnson in Eagle Grove. The family lived in various communities in the Midwest and returned to Eagle Grove in 1980. Kenneth served as Head of the Agriculture Department of the Area I Community College located in Dubuque and Calmar. Kenneth was a member of the United Methodist Church, Bower Lodge #464, V.F.W. and the American Legion. He served as a Senior Citizen Center volunteer, Wright County Republican Chairperson, and was elected to the Older Iowans Legislature. His service continued as he represented the Elderbridge Agency on Aging and White House Conference on Aging.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn of Eagle Grove; one son, Bruce Askelsen of Eagle Grove; one grandson; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: brothers, Arthur and Howard Askelsen; and one sister, Gladys Knutson.

December 1, 2005
© Wright County Monitor 2005