Schaefer, Kenneth 'Ken'

Kenneth “Ken” Schaefer, 86, of East Amana, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2012, after a short illness. Funeral Services: 10. a. m. Saturday, June 23, at Middle Amana Community Church, Middle Amana, with Elder Betsy Momany officiating. Burial will be in East Amana Cemetery, with military honors. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Middle Amana Community Church. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo, is in charge of arrangements.

Ken was born Jan. 21, 1926, in East Amana, Iowa, to Rudolph and Lydia (Hertel) Schaefer. Following graduation from Amana Schools in 1944, he was inducted in the U.S. Army and underwent basic training in Fort Hood, Texas. Ken was shipped overseas in December 1944 and was assigned to the 3rd Army 44th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division. He was in battle in Luxemburg, Belgium, and Rhineland, Germany. On April 15, 1945, Ken was wounded in battle. He spent nine months in hospitals and was discharged in January 1946. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

After returning from service, Ken worked for Amana Refrigeration, where he would continue for 25 years. He married Isabella Rettig on June 26, 1948, and they had two sons, Kirby and Reed. In 1971, he became part-owner and worked at Little Amana Winery until retirement in 1997.

Ken was a lifelong member of the Amana Church and served on the board of directors of the Amana Society. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 164 in Norway, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Cedar Rapids, El Kahir Shrine Temple in Cedar Rapids, the Iowa City Shrine Club, American Legion Post 572 in Fairfax, and a life member of Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Ken enjoyed spending time with friends and family, being in his garden, hunting, fishing, laughing and singing. He had friends of all generations and shared his sense of humor with everyone he met. He especially cherished the summers spent with his grandchildren while they were growing up.

Ken is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Isabella; sister, Lucille Kraus; son, Kirby and wife Theresa; son, Reed; granddaughter, Katie Ron and husband Jonathan; grandson, Aaron and wife Molly, and great-granddaughter, Yael Ron.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

“If friends were measured in dollars, he was a wealthy man.”

... Husband, Father, Brother, Opa, Friend ...

Memorials may be contributed to the Amana Church Society or Amana Heritage Society.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.klosterfuneralhome.com.

Published June 22, 2012 in The Gazette