Kenneth Conner

Kenneth Conner, 94, of Grinnell, passed away at UnityPoint Allen Hospital in Waterloo on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, March 27th, at the Grinnell Christian Church. Private family interment will be at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa.

His family will receive friends at the visitation held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on March 26th at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell.

Memorials may be designated to the Grinnell Christian Church, Grinnell Fire Department, or to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Kenneth Leon Conner was born May 7, 1931, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to Thomas Reed Conner and Rena Blanch (Russell) Conner. He was raised in Oskaloosa and graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the Class of 1949.

He continued his education at William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Arlington State University in Fort Worth, Texas, Texas Wesleyan in Fort Worth, and Drake University in Des Moines. Kenneth honorably served his country in the United States Air Force from 1952 until 1956 during the Korean War.

On August 30, 1953, he was united in marriage to Shirley Wick in Oskaloosa. They lived in the Austin and Fort Worth areas while Ken was stationed in the United States Air Force. They returned home and their daughter Karen Elaine was born. Kenneth devoted his life to education. He taught in the Searsboro, Carlisle, Melcher-Dallas, and Grinnell public schools. For 29 years he taught third through sixth grades at Fairview Elementary School in Grinnell, and drove the school bus retiring in 1993. His impact on generations of students and fellow educators was lasting and deeply appreciated. Ken is often remembered for his part-time jobs at Fareway, Varsity News Stand and Grinnell Sporting Goods.

He and Shirley were longtime members of the Grinnell Christian Church. Ken was also dedicated to public service. He was an active member of the Grinnell Fire Department, serving as treasurer and secretary for 45 years, and he served on the Grinnell City Council. He was a member of the Grinnell Lions Club, and served by transporting eye tissue. In addition, he volunteered for 14 years with the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation. Kenneth's greatest joy was his family. He also enjoyed traveling, spending time with friends and was always known to be up for adventures.

Kenneth is survived by his daughter, Karen Thompson of Cedar Falls, Iowa; three grandchildren, Jason (Kristin) Thompson, Bradley (Stephanie) Thompson, Amy Thompson, six great-grandchildren, Addison, Preston, Isabella, Dawson, Ailey, Teagan, Fletcher, and his nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirley on February 3, 2020; his brother, Donald Conner; and two sisters who died in infancy.