Kenneth Rich

KENNETH WAYNE RICH

Kalona

Kenneth Wayne Rich, 76, passed peacefully from a long battle of Alzheimer's disease on Feb. 3, 2021, at Keota Health Care Center. He was born Sept. 12, 1944, in Crawfordsville, Iowa, the son of Walter G. and L. Jeane (Stout) Rich.

Ken graduated from WACO High School in 1963. He attended the ISU Agriculture Program and a trade school in Omaha, Neb. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1966. He served as senior airman at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. He did a tour in Thailand at the Korat Air Base during the Vietnam War in 1969. He was a proud member of the 730th Radar Team. He was honorably discharged in 1970 at the rank of staff sgt. to be with his beloved wife.

Ken was united in marriage with Clareen Elizabeth Arnold on an extra hot day of Aug. 17, 1968, in Washington, Iowa. The resided in Iowa until 1975, when they and their daughter moved to North Hollywood, Calif. They welcomed a son a year later. They resided in California for the next 33 years before they retired back to Kalona, Iowa, in 2008.

Ken had many hobbies, but the ones that stand out was his love for hunting and the outdoors (deer, elk, pheasant) and being a lifetime member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, as well as his love for the Los Angeles Lakers during the Showtime Era.

Anyone who knew him knew he loved the Lord, his family and his big red truck. He was a gentle giant with a tender heart. He was a man of few words but of a thousand actions. He was always there, lending a helping hand to anyone in need, and a hug that could melt any heart! He also loved pizza, Pepsi and peanuts, and pie.

His family still here to continue in remembrance are his two children: daughter, Rachelle (Ronald) Rich Blackwell of Kalona, Iowa; son, John (Kimberly) Rich of Washington, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Ortiz-Rich, Makensie Hansen-Rich, Taylor Hansen-Rich, James Rich, Alexander Rich, Madison Roller and Annelise Roller; four great-grandchildren, Naviah Aeto-Rich, Anastasia Rich, Luke Gould and Pyper Jones; his mother, L. Jeane Fry of Washington, Iowa; three brothers, Wesley (Riella) Rich of Fairhope, Ala., Stephen (Jerilyn) Rich of Kalona, Iowa, and Philip (Jacque) Rich of Crawfordsville, Iowa; brothers-in law, Emery Gingerich of Kalona, Iowa, William Sebok of Eugene, Ore.; and Michael (Penny) Farrier of Dauphin Island, Ala.; two sisters-in law, Rebekah (Richard) Jones of San Diego, Calif., and Saundra (Bruce) Boyd of Maryland Heights, Mo.; as well as 20 nieces/nephews and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Claire (Arnold) Rich (2017); as well as his father, Walter Rich; sisters, Jane Gingerich and Marti Sebok; niece, Lori Rich; nephew, Perry Rich; mother-in law, Clareen (Gallup) Arnold; sister-in-law, Catherine (Arnold) Farrier; and stepfathers, Russell Ellinger and Earl Fry.

The family would like to thank all the health care providers who helped throughout dad's journey!

A memorial service will be held at a later day. Yoder-Powell Funeral Home is caring for Kenneth and his family. Messages and tributes maybe sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhoms.com.