Kenneth Dale Powers was born on April 25, 1921 in Oelwein, Iowa, the son of Arnold Dale and Lillius Rose (Cocum) Powers. He grew up during the depression, learning to go with out. He left school when he turned eighteen to join the U. S. Army, where he lost his good friend in the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After his Honorable Discharge Kenny came back home to Oelwein and met Shirley Swarts and later on March 21, 1948 they were united in marriage. They had two sons, Donald and Jim. He started out working for the Chicago Great Western as a fireman and later as an engineer. Kenny also went to Barber school and barbered and worked for the railroad at the same time. After he retired they bought a house in Cedar Creek Lake and spent half their time there and the other half in Oelwein. Kenny enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening. He was in World War II, raised two sons, had two homes and lived thru the Great Depression.
He is survived by his son Jim Powers of Seattle, Washington; four grandchildren, Zachary, Nicholas, Candace and Courtney; Two great grandchildren, River Powers and Madeline Moore, a Daughter-in-law, Jeanne Powers of Red Oak, Texas and two sisters, Dorothy Torson of Oelwein and Juanita Floden of Mt. Vernon, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley (October 15, 2008); a son, Donald (1989); a granddaughter, Amy Powers, a brother Donald James in WWII and his parents.
VISITATION: Monday, July 12, 2010 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein, Iowa.
SERVICES: Private Graveside Services