Kenneth W. Kassel

In Loving Memory
Kenneth W. Kassel
June 3, 1926 - January 13, 2025

If you would like to make a donation on behalf of Ken, please consider one of the worthy organizations listed below

Emmetsburg United Methodist Church Youth Fund
https://emmetsburgumc.com/

Palo Alto County 4-H Foundation
https://www.iowa4hgivingday.org/organizations/palo-alto-county-4-h-foundatio

Farmhouse Fraternity Foundation
https://farmhouse.org/

Palo Alto County Hospital (Designate the donation as a memorial for Kenneth Kassel)
3201 1st St.
Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Ken's funeral service will be live streamed on the Martin Mattice Funeral Home Facebook page.

VISITATION
Sunday, January 19, 2025
4:00 - 7:00 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Emmetsburg, Iowa

MASONIC LODGE SERVICE
Sunday, January 19, 2025
7:00 P.M.
Martin-Mattice Funeral Home
Emmetsburg, Iowa

SERVICE
Monday, January 20, 2025
10:30 A.M.
First United Methodist Church
Emmetsburg, Iowa

CLERGY
Rev. Kolleen Queener

MILITARY RITES
American Legion Post #173 ~ Ayrshire, Iowa
V.F.W. Post #2295 ~ Emmetsburg, Iowa
United States Army Honor Guard

INTERMENT
Silver Lake Cemetery
Ayrshire, Iowa

Kenneth William Kassel, son of David Finley and Hazel Mildred (Smith) Kassel, was born June 3, 1926 on the family farm.  He grew up on the farm, and attended school at Ayrshire Silver Lake Community School, graduating in 1944.  He worked at home for one year, entering into the  United States Army on April 12, 1945, serving for 20 months.  He was honorably discharged on December 8, 1946, attaining the rank of Technical Sergeant.  One year of his service was spent in Japan with the Occupational Forces.

After returning from the service, Ken attended Iowa State College, graduating in 1951 with a degree in Agriculture.  He was united in marriage to Janice Wilson at the Ames Collegiate Methodist Church on December 16, 1951. Ken’s first job was with DeKalb Agriculture Association in Storm Lake, Iowa, where they started their married life.  After that, Ken was sent to Monmouth, Illinois to work as a district sales manager.  He was called to the main office in DeKalb, Illinois to use some of his ideas and expertise in advertising.  While living in Monmouth, their son David was born.  Paul and Jim were born while they lived in DeKalb.  Later they were blessed with a daughter, Karen who completed their family.

The call of farming was not to be denied by Ken, and they moved to a farm near Emmetsburg in 1959 where they made their home until 1961 when they moved onto the family farm near Ayrshire.  Ken loved everything about farming, especially the soil, crops and machinery.  He thought that the farm would be the best place to raise his children, so they would have a background in agriculture.

Ken was always active in the community and especially his church.  He became a member of the Ayrshire Methodist Church in 1943.  Ken served on various boards at the church and was a school board member for the Ayrshire school for many years.  Ken and Janice were later members of the First United Methodist Church in Emmetsburg, where he served as a lay leader, trustee and a member of the finance committee. Ken was proud to have completed “A Walk to Emmaus” in 2014.  

Ken was a member of the State Soil Conservation Committee for 18 years and was involved in the Palo Alto county soil conservation district for 30 years.  Ken received the Iowa Master Farmer Award from Wallaces Farmer in 1993.   Ken served on the Palo Alto County Hospital Board for 16 years, during a time of construction.  Ken was a devoted member of the Ayrshire American Legion Post #173 and the Emmetsburg V.F.W. Post #2295, participating in the Honor Guard for countless funeral services.  Ken was also a 50 year Master Mason.

Ken passed away Monday, January 13, 2025 at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, Iowa, at the age of 98.  He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Hazel Kassel; his wife, Janice; daughter-in-law, Cindy Kassel; and son-in-law, Joey Hutto.

He is survived by his children, David Kassel (Susan Davis) of Ayrshire, Iowa, Paul Kassel (Julie) of Spencer, Iowa, James Kassel (Patti) of Louisville, Kentucky and Karen Hutto of  Lilburn, Georgia ; twelve grandchildren, Heidi Fritz (Scott), Anne Holmquist (Billy), Katie Ballay (Carlin), Cale Kassel (Katie), Brant Kassel (Lynn), Jill Leach (Will), Courtney Kassel, Jordan Kassel (Hope), Margaret Simoneaux (Tanner), Nathan Hutto, Andrew Hutto, and Samuel Hutto; 12  great grandchildren; sisters, Helen Merrill of Emmetsburg, Iowa and Carol Scott of Springfield, Missouri; nieces and nephews; as well as many other relatives and friends.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home