Kenneth Curry

KENNETH "KENNY" JOSEPH CURRY

Marengo

Kenneth "Kenny" Joseph Curry of Marengo died Oct. 6, 2017, at the age of 72, but his trademark humor, contagious laughter, notorious pranks and playful orneriness will not be forgotten. Funeral services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, at First United Methodist Church, Marengo. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to service time at the church. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids is in charge of arrangements.

Ken was born March 11, 1945, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Leonard and Arietta (Trent) Curry. He graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1963. He received his Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship with the U.S. Department of Labor as a bricklayer in 1972.

Ken met the love of his life, Carol, when she "picked him up on the side of the road" while driving to a dance in Swisher with friends. The accuracy of Ken's version of this event has been debated fondly over the years. Ken married Carol Hook on April 17, 1965. They had three children, John Curry of Cedar Rapids, Mike Curry (Lorrainne) of Marengo and Holli Schneekloth (L.J.) of Marengo. They were blessed with nine grandchildren, Garrett Curry, Spencer Hansen, Riley Hansen, Talon Schneekloth, Tiffani Schneekloth, Xander Schneekloth, Jeremy Gerot (Janneane), Allan Seelman and Angela Seelman; and four great-grandchildren, Thomas, Katie, Sarah and William Gerot. Also, his loyal cat, Fatty Catty; his four great-grandpuppies, Sofie, Henry, Luna and Rex; and two great-grandkitties, Pumpkin and Lucky.

Also surviving are his sister, Shirley (Vern) Schmidt of Williamsburg; his sister-in-law, Marilyn (Harry) Dolder of Oxford; his brothers, Bob (Sue) Curry of Williamsburg and Tom (Maggie) Curry of Muscatine; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Arietta Curry; brother, Dave Curry; and a dear nephew, Sam Curry.

How do you sum up 72 years of a man's life in a few short words? What words can you use? Words that come to mind are loved, generous, caring and hard-working.

Ken loved and was truly loved. Ken was a Cub Scout den leader and Little League coach for his sons. With endless patience, he showed his daughter how to properly read a tape measure when she was painting theater sets. The term "level" and "plumb" were golden rules in the Curry household. Ken was a human calculator. As a father and grandfather, he counseled his family through complicated word problems and impossible fractions in lightning speed without using pencil or paper. Ken was very close to his family and friends and always enjoyed spending time with them. If he was giving you a hard time you knew he liked you. Ken was known for his practical jokes and great sense of humor. He enjoyed playing pepper, euchre, pitching horseshoes, board games, checkers and sledding down the stairs in their home. One of his favorite things was to teach his grandchildren chess, except for when they beat him. When telling Ken "I love you," his response would be, "I love me, too."

Ken was generous and caring. Ken and Carol worked together over 52 years and built a beautiful life as husband and wife, parents, grandparents and co-workers. Their love was evident to all. He was a devoted husband. Even in the last few months while he battled Alzheimer's disease, he would ask his wife, Carol, if she needed anything; making her smile was a large part of his life. His grandchildren brought joy to his life; he spent time going to sports, choir, band, show choir and plays. He always was available to help with a project. He would drop anything to help family or friends in need.

Ken was hard-working. He could build and repair anything. Duct tape and baling wire were two of his favorite tools. He was a brick mason foreman on many jobs, but he worked as hard as everyone else. He led by example, not asking anyone to do anything he wouldn't do himself. Everybody liked him. He used his sense of humor and knowledge to engage people to achieve their best. On many jobs, if there was a child around he would have them lay a brick on the project. He would lovingly tell the child, "That's your brick, remember where you laid it."

In lieu of flowers, drink a cold beer, eat a fudge round, play cards, pitch horseshoes, or help family and friends with a project – he would have wanted that.