Kenneth Duane Bress

June 25, 1928 — October 15, 2011

Kenneth Duane Bress, the son of Jacob and Lena (Dickman) Bress, was born June 25, 1928 in Hartley, Iowa. His childhood years were spent in Sheldon, where he received his education, graduating from Sheldon High School. Ken married Evelyn First on March 27, 1948 in Worthington, MN. Throughout the years, Ken and Evelyn lived in Marshalltown and Holstein, Iowa before moving to Spencer. In Spencer, he was meat manager at the A & P store and later opened Ken's Meat Market in Spencer with Jerry Olin as part of Olin's Market. In 1971, he built 'The Butcher Shop' and continued operating it until his retirement in 1994. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer. Ken & Evelyn took many trips abroad to Russia, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Mexico and Japan. They retired to Tucson, AZ. Their summers were spent traveling all over the United States. With Evelyn's declining health, Ken had to learn how to be a caretaker and they moved back to Spencer. He was a 50-year member of Hy-Noon Kiwanis, where he served as president and Lt. Governor. Ken later joined Golden K Kiwanis, which he helped organize in the 70's. He was also a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer. Ken passed away at St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer, Iowa on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the age of 83. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers-in-law: Merle Harper, Dick Uittenbogaard, Orville Wiersma and a foster daughter, Pam Loats. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Evelyn of Spencer; two sons: Keith and his wife, Linda Bress of Spencer and Kent and his wife, Kate Bress of Arlington, VA; three grandchildren: David Bress of Iowa City, IA, Ashley Bress and Orion Bress both of Arlington, VA; six sisters: Doris (Milt) Harper Johnson, Ardis Uittenbogaard, Beverly Wiersma, Vione (Vernon) Nieuwenhuis, Janey (Jerry) Westra and LaDone (Darrel) Schnurr; his special friends: Nancy & Mike Taylor of Milford, IA; a foreign exchange student, Shu Murao of Japan and a foreign exchange teacher, Michelle Keller of Switzerland; other relatives and friends.

SERVICES

Memorial Services will be held 11:00 A.M., on Thursday, October 20, at Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer.

OFFICIATING

Rev. Paul Hansen

CASKET BEARERS

Nancy Taylor Dennis Nissen Barry Nieuwenhuis Kelly Nieuwenhuis Jim Nieuwenhuis Jerry Nieuwenhuis Honorary Bearers Ron Nissen Jerry Westra Darrel Schnurr Vernon Nieuwenhuis Milt Johnson

VISITATION

Visitation will begin after 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, with the family present from 5-7:00p.m., Wednesday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Association or Grace United Methodist Church.

MUSIC

Organist - Gretchen Hagedorn Soloist - Laura Carlentini "Blessings" "Goodbye For Now"

INTERMENT

Burial will be at 10:00 A.M., on Thursday prior to the funeral service at Northlawn Memorial Park Spencer, Iowa

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