Kent Arthur Kilpatrick

   Kent Arthur Kilpatrick, the son of Don and Lenora (Nicolaisen) was born on August 31, 1942, in Spencer, Iowa. He was raised and attended school in Spencer, graduating from Spencer High School. Following graduation, he entered into the military on June 28, 1964, serving in the United States Army Reserves. He was honorably discharged on December 16, 1964.

   On February 14, 1965, Kent married Lanette DuBois in Spencer, and to this union brought three daughters. Following their marriage, the couple moved to Sheldon, IA for a short time where he worked as a hog buyer for Armour. He then moved to Sioux Rapids and farmed with his family. In 1971, he moved to Spencer where he was a diesel mechanic for Halsne International Harvester. He also worked on the family farm with his dad, the job he loved the most. In 1979, Kent took over the farming operation until his retirement.

   Kent was a member of Hope Reformed Church. He was Mason and a member of the Evening Shade Lodge #312 A.F. & A.M. He was a past president of Clay County Farm Bureau, was on the Rural Water Conservation Board, and he enjoyed being involved at the Spencer Community Theatre. Kent didn’t have a lot of hobbies because farming was his life. However, he had a passion for cooking, often embellishing the recipes. He loved to travel with Lanette throughout the United States and to different countries, spending time with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and extended family.

   He passed away on Friday, April 18, 2025, at St. Luke Lutheran Home, at the age of 82. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lanette in 2022; his granddaughter, Lily Gilderhus; his in-laws, Don and Opal DuBois; his sister-in-law, Ronette DuBois and a nephew, Mike Darnell.

   Left to cherish his memory are his three daughters: Kim Baxter (John) of Neola, IA, Lori Swanson (Chris) of Spirit Lake, IA and Tami Gilderhus (Scott) of Spencer, IA; his grandchildren: Kellerie (Colin) Burns, Mitchell Carrigan, Sarah Carrigan Cullen Carrigan Drake Swanson (Verity Garcia), Piper (William) Cleveland, Grace (Lucas) Draffen and Addison Gilderhus (Scott Schonts); his great grandchildren: Trig Cauthron, Olive Burns, Theodore Burns, Madelyn Garcia, Mikayla Garcia, Emilio Garcia, Winnie Swanson, Asher Cleveland and Olivia Cleveland; his brother, Gary Kilpatrick (Diana) of Spirit Lake, IA; his sister Karen Coffey of Des Moines, IA; his sister-in-law, Donette Hanson of Ruthven; many nephews, a niece and many friends.