Cable, Kenneth Richard

Today we are mourning the loss of Kenneth Richard Cable of Anamosa, formerly of Cedar Rapids. He passed away Thursday, March 7, 2013, after a battle with lung cancer and COPD. He was 73. Funeral Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 13, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, by Chaplain Christine Wagner-Hecht. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Kenneth was born Dec. 5, 1939, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of Richard and Carol (Salome) Cable. He moved to Cedar Rapids at the age of seven with his mother, stepfather, and sister, Barbara. Ken married Maurene Martin on Oct. 7, 1961, in Galena, Ill. They lived in Cedar Rapids for 47 years until they retired and moved to the Stone City area of Anamosa in 2008.

After his first job as a paper carrier, he managed gas stations for Martin Oil Co. of Cedar Rapids, Burlington, and Dubuque, and Apco on 16th Avenue in Cedar Rapids. They were all “full service stations.”

Ken apprenticed and worked for Ilten's for 28 years, nearly 20 of those years as shop foreman. He took great pride in his work and was an avid union member. Ken was on the executive board of Sheet Metal Workers Local 263 for 18 years. He was elected business manager in 1991 and served for 15 years until he retired in 2006. Ken served on many boards and committees for the union, city of Cedar Rapids, and state of Iowa.

After retirement, he liked day trips to wineries and antique shops with friends. Ken always traveled the side roads instead of the interstate. He also helped family members search in the cemeteries for ancestors in both the Cable and Martin families.

His family includes his wife of 51 years, Maurene; three sons, Tim, Kevin and Marty, and two daughters, Rachelle (John) Mendoza, all of Cedar Rapids, and Cheryl of Chandler, Ariz.; one granddaughter, Tara; five grandsons, Brad (Desiree), Drew and Justin, all of Cedar Rapids, Brendon (Necia) of Ely and Dan of Marion; and six great-grandchildren, Makenzi, Madisyn, Makenzie, Bradley Jr., Bailey and Kenick.

Also four sisters, Linda Egbert of Wichita, Kan., Sherry (Doug) Kandle of Boise, Idaho, Billie (Alan) Bernard of Grass Valley, Calif., and Tina Cable of Burlington, Iowa; and four brothers, Rick (Katy) Cable of Long Beach, Calif., Gale (Mary) McCullough of Cedar Rapids, Lynn (Nancy) McCullough of Troy, Mo., and Dennis (Penny) McCullough of Mountain Home, Ark.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Carol; stepfather, Gene McCullough; stepmother, Edith Cable; sisters, Carolyn Cable (infant) and Barbara Carothers; and brothers, Ronald Cable and Randy McCullough.

The family extends a sincere thank you to Erin Swailes ARNP, Dr. Cam Campbell, the doctors, nurses and staff at the Ghosh Cancer Center, and all of the visiting nurses, social workers, and chaplains at Hospice of Mercy.

Ken was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend; and “brother” to many. We will all miss him very much.

Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, 4080 First Ave. NE Suite 101, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

Please sign the online guest book and share a memory about Ken at www.stewartbaxter.com.

Published March 10, 2013 in The Gazette