Kenneth “Ken” Dean Hicks, the son of Darold and Dorothy (Alberts) Hicks, was born November 30, 1951, in Primghar, Iowa.  His childhood years were spent in Primghar where he received his education, graduating from Paullina High School.  Ken entered the military on September 10, 1970, serving in the  U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged after serving active and his Reserve obligation on June 4, 1976.

     Ken married Carolyn Johnson on October 8, 1982, in Spencer, Iowa.  After his marriage, he attended small engine school and worked at Oak Hill Marina.  He enjoyed working on small engines for his entire life.  He later worked at Spencer Brokerage and Style Craft in Milford where he worked until his health problems forced him to retire.

     He rode his motorcycle with the American Legion riders and was active with the American Legion.  Ken loved his garden, grandkids, playing cards, riding his motorcycle, visiting with people and attending family gatherings, especially Christmas.

     Kenneth passed away at St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer, Iowa, on Thursday, December 3, 2020, at the age of 69.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

     Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Carolyn of Spencer; one daughter, Christine (Temi) Otaniyi of Spencer, IA; grandchildren: Temi Jr., Kore, Jeremiah (JD) and Adura; sisters: Marilyn Summers of Paullina, IA, and Kathy Jones of Spencer, IA; two nieces: Heather (Mike) Sienkiewicz of Burlington, VT and Nichole (Steve) Vennare of Conneaut Lake, PA; one nephew, Leighton Jones of Spencer, IA; other relatives and friends.