Kenneth Greenwood

1936 - 2025

Kenneth Greenwood

November 23, 1936 - September 22, 2025

Kenneth Charles Greenwood, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on September 22, 2025, at the age of 88. He was born November 23, 1936, to Albert William and Rose Ethel (Boon) Greenwood, in Utica, Neb. He graduated from Utica High School in 1954. After high school Ken attended barber college in Omaha, Neb. Following, he began working at Aden's Barber Shop in Beatrice. By 1963 the shop became Ken's Barber which he operated until 2001. In addition, he sold insurance for Woodman Accident and Life, worked for Store Kraft and Cominco/Agrium. Following the closing of his Barber Shop he continued cutting hair of some loyal customers and family. He gave his last haircut in 2023.

Kenneth married Mary Jane Cullen, January 24th, 1960 at the Holmesville's Church of the Brethren. They raised their three children, Susan, Steven and Julie in Beatrice. Ken was a supportive husband, father, and friend, who always prioritized his family and work. He had a way of incorporating work, play and life lessons into everything he did. Some the idioms echo in the minds his family include: "If you open a door, shut it. If you borrow something, return it...", "If it's worth doing it's worth doing right.", "You can never save a lot of money. You can only save a little money a lot of times.", "You don't HAVE to go to work. You GET to go to work!", "People are funny, they buy things they don't need, with money they don't have, to impress people they like." His positive influence will remain with us forever.

His passion for helping others extended beyond his family and work. He served in the National Guards for 7 years, was an active member of the Local, State, and National Barbers Associations, UCT, and the Boy Scout Troop 221. For 37 years, Ken assisted scouts ushering at Husker football games. He was a past member of Junior Chamber of Commerce, Masonic Lodge, Cottonwood Beach Club, and Hidden Acres.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Mary Jane; his children, Susan (John) Clausen, Steve (Lisa) Greenwood, and Julie (Jeff) Collins; foreign exchange daughter, Virginia (Gina Reedy) Gray and husband, Brent and their family in Australia; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildrens. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rose Mary (Darold) Smith; brothers, Albert Greenwood, Richard (Verdayne) Greenwood; and an infant brother.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 1 to 8 p.m., at Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel, 708 N. 6th Street, with the family greeting friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. A family prayer service will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 9:45 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 10 a.m. The church will livestream the service. Interment will follow at the Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice. A memorial has been established to the family's choice for future designation with the funeral home in charge.

We encourage those who knew and loved Kenneth Greenwood to share their memories and upload photos to the memorial page at www.ghchapel.com. Each shared memory or photo is a testament to the significant impact that Kenneth had on those around him, serving as a gentle reminder of his generous, loving, resilient, and supportive nature.

These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.

Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel

708 N. 6th Street

Beatrice, NE 68310

402-223-3521