Kenneth Iverson

Kenneth Iverson, 90, of Austin, died Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at St. Mark's Lutheran Home, Austin.

Kenneth Iverson was born Aug. 22, 1924, in "Storley Farm," Mabel Village, Fillmore County, to Leo and Minda (Bekkemellem Olson) Iverson. He attended country grade school and Austin High School. Ken had various jobs, including planting trees with the Civilian Conservation Corps and construction work in the Austin area, before entering military service in the U.S. Army. He was a proud veteran of World War II, serving with the 25th Infantry Division in the Philippines, who never forgot the buddies he fought with. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his valor. On Nov. 9, 1946, Ken was united in marriage to Harriett Alice Rudlong in Grand Meadow. Ken and Harriett resided in the Austin area, where they raised their family of eight. Ken retired from Hormel Foods in 1985 after 38 years of service.

An active member of First United Methodist Church, Ken was a hardworking, generous and loving man who did his best to live and promote those values in his family. He was a guy who loved to draw and doodle, especially faces and odd characters. He was a devoted and caring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather with a great sense of humor.

Survivors include his wife, Harriett Iverson of Austin; his children, Kenneth "Duane" (Charlotte) Iverson of St. Paul, Gary (Nancy Jo) Iverson of Albert Lea, Linda (Larry) Wilson of St. Charles, Barbara (Dean) Sheely of Austin, Nancy Dickerson of Owatonna, Debra (Bill) Smith of Huson, Mont., Michael (Sana) Iverson of Jordan and Thomas (Barbara) Iverson of Austin. He is also survived by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Minda Iverson; his brother, Leo Iverson; and three sisters, Lucille Christensen, Maxine Iverson and Marilyn Tapp.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 13, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin, with Pastor Elizabeth Endicott officiating.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, June 12, at Worlein Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Rose Creek Enterprise Cemetery, with military rites by American Legion Post 91 and V.F.W. Post 1216.

As Ken was a longtime fighter against diabetes, the family prefers memorials to the American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association.

Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin.