Kenneth J. HOLMES

HOLMES, RUSSELL, CARR, CUNDALL, SUTHERLAND, SWINTON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/25/2009 at 10:06:41

Kenneth J. Holmes, 86, veteran & lifelong farmer

Kenneth J. Holmes, 86, of Clarion, died Monday, March 9, 2009, at his home. The funeral was held at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 12, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Clarion with Rev. Nils Hernandez officiating. Burial was held in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Clarion.

Kenneth Holmes was born December 5, 1922, in rural Clarion, Iowa, to Guy and Katie (Russell) Holmes. He attended country school through 8th grade and graduated from Eagle Grove High School. He married Patricia Carr on March 21, 1945. He was a member of the Navy SeeBees during World War II and served in the South Pacific. Following his discharge, he returned to the Clarion area and farmed in the Goldfield area for sixty years. He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church. He was a member of the Board of Directors on the former Goldfield Cooperative Elevator for twenty years, was a member of the American Legion Post #370, and was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 1579 in Eagle Grove. He measured farms for several years at the Wright County ASCS office. He was a 4-H leader for the Liberty Pathfinders 4-H Club for 10 years. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and square dancing. He and Pat were proud that all four sons attended and graduated from college.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia; four sons: Ron and Roberta, John and Pat, Russell and Patty, Jerry and Doris; and ten grandchildren: Matt, Suzanne, Christina, Shawn, Erin, Jane, Nathaniel, Jonathan, Katie, and Kelli; and two great-grandchildren: Sawyer and John Daniel. He is survived by three sisters: Winnie Cundall, Mary Lee Sutherland, and Lynette Swinton; and three brothers: Max, Donald, and Dean. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Elizabeth; and one grandson, Marc. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to Wright County 4-H. Ewing Funeral Home of Clarion was in charge of arrangements.

Eagle Grove Eagle, Iowa
March 18, 2009