Robert Leo "Bob" Kenaley

1932 - 2025

Robert Leo "Bob" Kenaley

February 19, 1932 - April 18, 2025

Robert Leo "Bob" Kenaley, age 93, passed away peacefully on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, at Stonebridge Suites, surrounded by family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 26, 2025, at All Saints Catholic Parish - St. James Church in Le Mars. Father Douglas Klein will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 5 p.m., and a Scriptural Prayer Service followed by a 4th Degree Chalice Presentation at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m., until service time on Saturday at the church. Services will be uploaded to the funeral home website following services. Arrangements are with the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com.

Bob was born on a very cold and stormy February 19, 1932, at the Bank's Place, the family home near LeMars, Iowa, to Joseph Leo "Lee" and Josephine Margaret (Sullivan) Kenaley. When he was four years old, they moved to the O'Brien farm in rural LeMars which would become his home for the next 67 years. He attended country school in his early years. He attended high school at Union Consolidated School, where he was involved in many activities, including basketball, theatre, and chorus. This is where his love of singing began. Bob was chosen for the Iowa All State Chorus in his senior year and had many fond memories of this. He graduated from Union School in May 1950. Bob farmed with his dad from the time he was a wee lad. His love of the land stayed with him until the end; gardening and planting flowers were two of his passions.

Bob was drafted into the Army in 1953; he always said he "went like a man, with an MP on each side," showcasing his lifelong humor. He achieved the rank of Corporal and was with the 370th Hvy Equipment Company as a heavy equipment mechanic. He did not have any formal mechanical training, but had a natural aptitude for fixing things, which he carried throughout his life. He was stationed at Kaiserslautern, Germany from 1953 to 1955. In 2018, he was able to go on the Midwest Honor Flight to Washington, DC and it was a very special trip for him.

He met the love of his life, Ruth Kastrup, in 1950, when she lived across the hall from his sisters in an apartment building in Sioux City, Iowa. He could vividly remember all the details of their courtship which spanned eight years, including his military service overseas. They were married on February 15, 1958, at St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church in Sioux City, Iowa. Bob and Ruth lovingly brought into the world three children: Daniel, Patrick, and Margaret. They raised their family on the farm where Bob grew up, and lived there until 2003, when they bought a home in Le Mars and moved to town. In February 2021, they moved to Park Place Assisted Living, now Stonebridge Suites, in LeMars.

Bob was deeply committed to his faith, family, and farming. Family was very important to him, even friends that became family, up to his last breath. He and Ruth were true examples of Christian values, helping anyone who asked (and even those who did not,) often going over and above what was needed. He made a lifelong commitment to serving his community in many different volunteer activities. He was a member of the Plymouth County Fair Board for 29 years, and Ruth served right alongside him. She was "The Voice" of the Plymouth County Fair for many years (she made all the important announcements over the loudspeaker and the most used one was "Bob, please come to the Fair Board Office.") They were inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame in 2004 and Plymouth County Fair Hall of Fame in 2005 for their dedication to the fair, 4-H, and the youth of their community. Bob was also awarded the Outstanding Service to Agriculture award.

As an adult, Bob continued his love of singing, becoming a member of the Floyd Valley Chordsmen barbershop group. After his retirement, he joined the Kiwanis and was very involved in the Aktion Club. He was a volunteer in the cafeteria of Floyd Valley Healthcare for many years and an active member in the American Legion. Bob was also a member of the Third Degree and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, earning the Worthy Sir Knight distinction.

Bob and Ruth loved volunteering. They delivered Meals on Wheels for 25 years and received the Governor's Volunteer Award in 2014 for their service. He and Ruth were active members of the Plymouth Promoters, the hospital auxiliary and St. James Catholic Church.

Bob's technical fascination found a way to entertain, celebrate, and remember those in his life through card-making. After getting his first personal computer, Ruth and he would spend many hours using programs to create and mail their wishes for birthdays, anniversaries, memorials, holidays, and much more. He always had to have a good printer, appreciated his connection to the world wide web, and his smart phone.

He is survived by his children: Dan (Dave Doyle) Kenaley of Albuquerque, N.M., Pat (Judy) Kenaley of Milford, Iowa and Maggie (Charlie) Fleming of Hartington, Neb. Grandchildren: Josh (Jenn) Kenaley of Freeport, Ill., Kate (Kevin) Sopha and their children: Addyson and Delaney; Beau Fleming of Hartington, Neb., Chuck (Shauna) Fleming and their girls: Milah and Delilah of Lincoln, Neb.; Wes (Ashlee) Fleming and their children: Blakelee, Daxton and Vance of Hartington, Neb.; Todd Sparks and daughter, Lily of Salida, Colo.; and Traci (Tim) Sanow of Lake Park, Iowa. Great-grandchildren: Alison (Zach) Wielinga and their children: Carter, Hayden and Asher of Orange City, Iowa; and Jake (Demitra) Sanow and their children: Tilly, Render and baby, Sanow (due in June,) of Washington, Iowa; brother-in-law, Borge (Carol) Kastrup; as well as many nieces, nephews and cherished family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Benjamen; his brothers and their wives: Gerald (Winifred) Kenaley and Donald (Helen) Kenaley; and sisters and their husbands: Alice (Allan) Murray, Louise (Jim) Kidd, Rose (Don) Krogh, Rita (Rome) Starzl, Betty, and Bonnie (Joe) Ruden; his mother/father-in-law, Edmund (Karen) Kastrup; brothers-in-law/spouses: Kai (Mabel) Kastrup, Thorkild (Lorraine) Kastrup, Carlo (Millie) Kastrup, Leo (Bonna Del) Kastrup and Bobby (Julie) Kastrup; and his sister-in-law/spouse, Elsie (Lloyd) Nielsen.