Kenneth R. Burns Sr.

Kenneth R. Burns Sr., 87, of Marion, Iowa, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday morning, March 26, 2024, at the Hiawatha Care Center in Hiawatha, Iowa. Celebration of Life: 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 29, 2024, at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Arlington, Iowa. Visitation: 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. Friday at the funeral home. Inurnment: Taylorsville Cemetery, Arlington, Iowa with military honors. Memorials may be directed to the family. Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com Kenneth was born on April 22, 1936, in Volga, IA, the son of Winifred and Lyle Burns. Kenneth attended Volga High School and joined the military at age 17, serving in the Marines from 1953-1959. Kenneth was united in marriage to Sara Fox on December 22, 1956, seven children were born to this union. This marriage later ended. Kenneth was a talented mechanic and worked for various tractor dealerships, then opened Arlington Diesel and Repair in 1981. Kenneth was then later joined in the business by his son Ron. He enjoyed mushroom hunting, fishing, and deer hunting in his earlier years and taught his hobbies to his grandchildren. Kenneth had fond memories of the many fishing trips and adventures with his loved ones. Throughout his lifetime, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and dearly loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kenneth married Sue Temple in 1990 and resided with Sue in Marion until 2021. He was a member of the Dean-Harkin American Legion Post #219 of Arlington and the Marion American Legion Post #298 of Marion. Kenneth enjoyed gardening and maintaining all the beautiful flowers and shrubs surrounding their home. He also enjoyed hunting, mushroom hunting, fishing, reading WWII books and Westerns. Kenneth loved many dogs including his most recent dog, Buddy. In retirement, Kenneth continued to do small engine repairs from his garage for friends and family. Kenneth is survived by his six children, Roger (Peggy) Burns of Elkader, Karlene Burns of Strawberry Point, Kenneth (Mayra) Burns Jr. of Marion, Ronald (Valerie) Burns of Walford, Kelly Schmidt of Charles City, Dennis (Monica) Jarchow of Cedar Falls, his brother Lee of Woodburn, Oregon and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kenneth is preceded in death by his wife Sue, his first wife Sara, infant son, Jerry Burns; parents Winifred and Lyle; brother Roland, sisters Gwen Gamm and Judy Dees and daughter in-law Renee Burns.