Kaness, Kenneth Marvin

Kenneth Marvin Kaness, 78, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 1, 2010. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church Faith and Life Center in Marion, officiated by the Rev. Perry Fruhling. Graveside service, with military honors, will be in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 yo 7 p.m. Wednesday at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel and after 9:30 a.m. Thursday at the church.

Ken was born on June 13, 1932, in Boone, Iowa, the son of Pearl O. and Sadie Irene (Torkelson) Kaness. Ken graduated from Boone High School in 1950, and attended AIB in Des Moines. Ken served actively in the Navy from 1953 to 1955, and in the reserves until 1957. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1958. On June 15, 1958, Kenny was united in marriage with Mary Ellen (Simmons) in Bonaparte, Iowa.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Mary Ellen; sons, Paul of Cedar Rapids, and David of Richardson, Texas; daughter, Sue Ellen and son-in-law Todd Stelling of Cedar Rapids; grandson Austin Hansen of Richmond, Va.; grandson Kyle Kaness of Cedar Rapids; granddaughter Payton Stelling and grandson Ryker Stelling, also of Cedar Rapids; cousin, Louise McKeever of Crystal Lake, Ill.; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Elizabeth Calvert of Elgin, Ill., Glenn and Margaret Louise Heald of Auxvasse, Mo., and Alfred and Frances Jolliffe of Waukee; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Tom and Jerry in infancy, and James; stepfather Andrew Frelund; mother and father-in-law, Dorothy and George Simmons; brother-in-law, Leo Calvert; and sister-in-law, Myrna Jeanne Kreiger; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

After graduation, Ken worked at Link-Belt Speeder/FMC as a cost accountant for 27 years, retiring in 1985. He then worked at LeFebure, Norand, Goss and J.E. Adams, retiring for a second time in 1998.

Ken was most proud to coach his kids in baseball and softball. He also volunteered his time with Boy Scout Troop 33 for several years. Ken was a longtime member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church. He served as captain of the St. Mark's Lutheran Bowling team for over 50 years and was a member of St. Mark's 50+ fellowship group. Ken loved the outdoors and working in the garden and yard. He enjoyed growing tomatoes for his girls even though he didn't like them. Ken was a lifelong, passionate Iowa Hawkeye fan. His other passion was to cheer on the Jefferson High School Softball teams and was a staple at home games. He never forgot a face, although names escaped him, and he never said a bad word about anyone.

Kenny loved his family tremendously and was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He especially cherished his grandchildren. Ken lived a full and wonderful life and he will live on in each and every one blessed to be touched by his presence. He will be greatly missed!

The family requests no flowers. Memorials in his name may be directed to St. Mark's Lutheran Church or St. Luke's Hospice.

Special thanks to his Hospice nurse, Amanda, his doctors, his care givers, the Hospice volunteers, and all those who visited with him over the last few months. You brought him comfort during his final journey.